After the 4th of July, reporting of the $1,000 Fines - ouch!

San Mateo Daily Journal 7/8/11.  "Illegal fireworks led to 22 $1,000 citations, technically an administrative arrest, in San Bruno and Pacifica over the holiday weekend — accounting for a drop in bookings for both cities. Over the Fourth of July weekend, nine people in San Bruno and 13 people in Pacifica were given $1,000 fines. The total of 22 citations is 11 less than last year.

Pacifica also had two arrests related to fireworks, said police Capt. Fernando Realyvasquez. San Bruno police had arrested one juvenile on fireworks charges, said police Cmdr. Noreen Hanlon. For Pacifica, this was a drop in arrests. Realyvasquez called it a typical, busy holiday for the city.

San Bruno had seven additional arrests July 4, two of whom were cited and released, said Hanlon. While the incident started with fireworks, none of the charges were related to the festive explosives. Overall calls for service to the San Bruno Police Department on the Fourth of July were down. Last year, there were 136 calls compared to 111 this year, she said.

San Bruno and Pacifica are the only cities in San Mateo County that allow the sale of fireworks. All police and fire staff in both cities worked this holiday, with Pacifica getting extra help from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. Both cities enforce a $1,000 fine for possession of up to 25 pounds of illegal fireworks — a measure they hope will act as a deterrent. Using, selling or having illegal fireworks in San Bruno and Pacifica comes with a steep fine and the possibility of jail time. A 2008 state law allowed both cities to punish those in possession of 25 pounds or less of dangerous fireworks with up to $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail.

Police were also on the lookout for drunk drivers during the holiday weekend. In San Mateo County, California Highway Patrol reported 17 DUI arrests from 6 p.m. Friday, July 1 through midnight Monday. Pacifica reported one additional arrest. Statewide, 1,562 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence, an increase from last year’s 1,438 arrests. From the CHP Bay Area command posts, 251 DUI arrests were reported, compared to 190 arrests during the same time period last year."

Posted by Kathy Meeh