Rialto City Council to prepare measure for public vote on use of all fireworks

On June 9, Rialto City Council rescinded the emergency declaration (order 2202) to conjure a more suitable response to the heavy use of fireworks in the community.

In a 3-1 vote, council also directed staff to generate a community based ad-hoc committee to formulate solutions on how to improve upon the use of illegal fireworks…which is intended to make its way onto the November 3, 2020, ballot measure regarding the ban of all fireworks, including Safe & Sane.

“On June 4, the city manager, with the recommendation of the police and fire chiefs, and serving as the director of emergency services under Council Resolution 7600 declared a local emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, issued an order suspending the sale, use and possession of safe and sane fireworks in the city of Rialto,” said Police Chief Mark Kling.

According to council agenda, all fireworks are illegal in 17 cities and towns, and all unincorporated areas within San Bernardino County. Safe & Sane fireworks are legal, with some restrictions, in seven cities within the county, those being Adelanto, Chino, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto and San Bernardino. A June 2019 report from the joint hearings of the City’s Human Relations Commission and Neighborhood & Housing Preservation & Beautification Commission included the recommendation that Safe & Sane sales and use be prohibited in the city based upon the negative impacts on the community.

“I’m also hearing about constituent complaints and concerns regarding the fireworks, which are causing post traumatic stress to seniors, veterans and even animals; every year we hear something, and we never do anything,” said Mayor Deborah Robertson.

“Every year we have more and more constituents adding to this conversation and discussion regarding fireworks. There has to be a better way to do this. We are in the middle of asking ourselves, do we continue to fund the 20-25 groups that participate in the Fourth of July event every year or do we fund trying to live with Safe & Sane and illegal at the same time because we feel our children really need that opportunity to celebrate; for me it’s not balancing out,” concluded Robertson.

Mayor Pro-tem Ed Scott joined the discussion and shared that through his 18 years serving the city, each year garners more and more complaints and zero action is taken when it comes to illegal fireworks.

“I clearly heard tonight, more people on council and staff are against fireworks…but I am convinced that this council will never take an action, one way or another. We’ll just remain status quo, it has been 18 years and we’ve done nothing. I believe that when you eliminate Safe & Sane it will eventually eliminate or slow down illegal firework use. I also understand some people believe it’s their right to shoot off fireworks. The voters of this community should decide whether or not we should allow fireworks in the city of Rialto,” said Scott.

At the next council meeting on June 23, staff & council are anticipated to discuss the forthcoming firework ad-hoc committee, in terms of participants and committee implementations.

For more information, visit yourrialto.com.