A new law to curb the use of fireworks except for the week preceding the Fourth of July was unanimously approved by the San Bruno City Council Tuesday night.
The law was sparked by more than 200 calls to the city's police and fire departments around Independence Day last year, many relating to illegal and "safe and sane" fireworks. The fireworks sold in the city benefit local charities, and they could lose money if the sales are limited.
The new law would limit firework lighting from noon to 10 p.m. June 28 to July 3, and noon to midnight July 4.
Fire Department officials said "safe and sane" fireworks do not explode or fly, like bottle rockets.
The fireworks can't be lighted within 10 feet of a house, the new law states, and police can pursue people they suspect intend to light fireworks off hours.
City Attorney Pam Thompson said it would work like drug laws.
"Look at the circumstances. If there are tons of fireworks at their feet with a match in their hand," that would be cause for police to investigate, she said. If the fireworks are in a bag with a receipt in it, that would be less suspect," she said.
The City Council indicated its approval for the law, but Councilman Chris Pallas had reservations.
"This is overkill as far as I'm concerned," he said.
"A lot of families before the Fourth set off smoke bombs and it doesn't bother anybody," Pallas said.
Fines start at $100 and climb to $500 for a third violation.
Sales of fireworks will also be limited to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 28 to July 4.
Councilman Ken Ibarra, who said in September he had sold fireworks but would lose sleep if anyone were hurt, liked the new law.
"This has come to a point that we need to make changes," Ibarra said.
The law will be in effect on Independence Day, but in November it is expected to be on the ballot for renewal.
In other business, the city accepted $3,000 from the San Bruno Rotary, San Bruno Police Association and the Shops at Tanforan to send San Bruno Cpl. Mark Phillips to the Kingdom of Tonga for cultural sensitivity training.
Phillips will be accompanied by Cpl. Ed Nakiso of the Burlingame Police Department and meet with Tongan police to tour towns and learn how best to serve the community on the Peninsula.
San Bruno Police Capt. Neil Telford said the department has been "overwhelmed" with calls from local Tongans supporting the trip.
Stephen Baxter can be reached by e-mail at stephen@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 109. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.
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