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Fourth of July is going to look much different as local cities, including South Pasadena, are canceling their traditional professional fireworks display due to the coronavirus.
And, along with it, comes a reminder that some communities in the Southland – South Pasadena among them – that ban consumer fireworks.
While some neighboring cities, including Alhambra, allow “safe and sane” fireworks, they are not permitted within South Pasadena’s city limits, explained local Fire Chief Paul Riddle.
“Fireworks are illegal in the City of South Pasadena,” simply said insists Riddle, who would normally direct those looking for them to the city’s traditional fireworks show inside the stadium at the local high school. However, like so many traditions and pastimes, this year’s spectacle has been cancelled because of the pandemic.
“Along with the police department, we tell our citizens, ‘If you see something, say something,”’ said Riddle. “I can tell you, in year’s past our city has been very proactive in reporting illegal fireworks.”
Riddle says extra SPFD staff will be on duty on Independence Day performing patrols. “We will work alongside our police department to make sure we enforce the law to keep our community safe,” he said.
The following cities in LA Counties have “safe and sane” fireworks allowed: Alhambra, Artesia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Carson, Commerce, Compton, Cudahy, Downey, El Monte, Gardena, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Industry, Inglewood, Irwindale, La Mirada, La Puente, Lakewood, Lawndale, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Palmdale, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, South Gate, Temple City, and Vernon
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger warns against the danger of fireworks, saying in the past: “Annually, fireworks cause brush fires, house fires, millions of dollars in damages, injuries, and even death. I encourage residents to report any illegal fireworks to law enforcement.”
