Report Prepared by: Billy Alcorn, Fire Chief
Title
SUBJECT: Report - Fourth of July Illegal Fireworks Enforcement Strategies and Public Outreach Campaign by the City of Merced and Adopt a Motion Approving the Placement of Banners on Light Poles in Downtown Merced and G Street to Support Prevention Efforts
REPORT IN BRIEF
Provides an update to the City Council on the City's efforts to combat illegal fireworks within the City limits and the public outreach efforts being made to deter people from using, selling and possessing illegal fireworks and approves the placement of banners on light poles in downtown Merced and G Street.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion receiving the informational report on the City's efforts to combat illegal fireworks and approving the request to place banners on light poles downtown and on G Street from June 4, 2019 to July 6, 2019.
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ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or
2. Deny; or
3. Continue to a future council meeting, to be determined by motion of the City Council.
AUTHORITY
Merced City Charter section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
The Fourth of July Illegal Fireworks Enforcement Strategies and Public Outreach Campaign align with the City Council's goals of promoting public peace, welfare and safety.
DISCUSSION
The use of illegal fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday has progressively increased over the past few years and become problematic for residents of our City. Two years ago, following the Fourth of July holiday, City Councilmember Kevin Blake asked staff to put together a plan to address the issues related to the use of illegal fireworks. Last year, the City established a fireworks task force to address the illegal firework challenges in the City of Merced. The purpose of this committee is to formulate enforcement strategies to curb the use, sales and possession of illegal fireworks within the City's limits during the Fourth of July holiday and to develop a public outreach camp...
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