Santa Cruz Police: 'Triple Fine Zone' Means Hefty Penalties For 4th of July Fireworks

SANTA CRUZ - Santa Cruz police are reminding local residents and other 4th of July visitors that a “Triple Fine Zone" goes into effect between July 3 and July 5, where monetary fines for fireworks violations will triple.

Fireworks of any kind are banned in the City of Santa Cruz.

A normal base fine of $110 for a fireworks violation triples to $330 during the three day holiday weekend.

Here's the full announcement from Santa Cruz police:

With thousands expected to visit Santa Cruz over the upcoming Independence Day holiday weekend, the Santa Cruz City Council has taken steps to ensure the City remains safe and clean for everyone. The Santa Cruz City Council has approved a citywide Safety Enhancement Zone from July 3rd to July 5th, 2016. This includes expanding the “Triple Fine Zone’ to all of the City of Santa Cruz to protect urban interface areas with dry vegetation.

The Safety Enhancement Zone enacts “Triple Fines” for violations of the Municipal Code. For example, the base fine for fireworks is $110 x3 triple fine =$330 + court fees as high as $1,305.00.

Every available SCPD Officer will be on duty throughout the weekend to insure that residents and visitors enjoy a safe holiday experience.

The Santa Cruz Police Department will be proactively enforcing all violations that have been designated for triple fines under the Safety Enhancement Zone, including the following violations of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code:
· Fireworks
· Possession of Open Containers or Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages in Public Places
· Discharge of Firearms
· Graffiti
· Defacing Sidewalks
· Noise Violations
· Trespassing
· Conduct on Public Property
· Urinating/Defecating in Public

If you witness illegal fireworks being discharged or any of the violations listed above, the Santa Cruz Police Department strongly encourages you to call 9-1-1 immediately to report the incident. Our patrol teams will be busy, but we will respond to complaints of illegal fireworks. We ask that you are willing to assist us by identifying and signing a complaint against the person(s) responsible. This means the person in possession of the fireworks or the one responsible for putting flame to fuse. We also ask you be willing to testify in court, if necessary. With the increased fire danger this year, we are relying on our partnership with the community to keep us all safe this 4th of July.

-image via Santa Cruz police