Hear Illegal Fireworks In Your Watsonville Neighborhood?

WATSONVILLE, CA — The Watsonville Police Department is making it clear: The crackdown on illegal fireworks has begun.

Police will issue $1,000 tickets if they uncover evidence that illegal fireworks were at, sold or set off on a property, police said.

Only safe and sane fireworks are legal in the city, and will go up for sale July 1. Fireworks without the state fire marshal's seal of approval are illegal. Fireworks should never be purchased form unlicensed vendors or given to children to handle.

The public may report illegal fireworks by calling 831-471-1151, or 911 if they pose a safety hazard. Police say callers should be prepared to share the following.

• Location of the incident.
• Whether fireworks were on the ground or aerial.
• Whether fireworks pose a safety hazard.

Fireworks can trigger PTSD in veterans. The Watsonville Police Department spoke with U.S. Army veteran Tony Virrueta about the subject; see the video below.