Illegal firework calls in Orange County up nearly 300 percent from last year
As Independence Day nears, Sheriff’s Department officials are expressing concern about the steep increase in illegal firework calls and what that could mean for community safety.
Calls regarding illegal fireworks are up nearly 300 percent across Orange County compared to last year, according to data collected by law enforcement agencies representing 28 cities and the county’s unincorporated areas.
Crime analysts from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and municipal law enforcement agencies pulled data to compare March 2019 through June 2019 to the same time period for 2020.
“Some cities saw more than five times the calls they did last year,” said Sgt. Tim Pusztai, supervisor of the OCSD Hazardous Devices Section (HDS). “We understand this year’s holiday looks different for families with many municipal displays being canceled, but residents should not attempt to recreate firework shows in their own neighborhoods. It is dangerous for you and your neighbors.”
The danger of illegal fireworks was highlighted at about 8:40 p.m. Wednesday night in the 23000 block of Coso when several trees near a Mission Viejo apartment complex were set ablaze after a group of juveniles were seen lighting fireworks in the area.
Although there were no injuries and the quick response of Orange County Fire Authority firefighters stopped the fire before it spread to nearby residences, incidents such as these are what have first responders concerned.
“Every year, we see severe injuries and property damage in Orange County because of illegal fireworks,” said Pusztai, whose unit has confiscated more than 5,800 pounds of banned pyrotechnics in Orange County just in June. “With the sharp increase in call volume, the probability of a tragic incident occurring also goes up.
“We want families to celebrate safely, which means leaving aerial fireworks to the professionals and using Safe & Sane fireworks, if your city allows them, the correct way.”
FIREWORK SAFETY TIPS:
- Ensure Safe & Sane fireworks are allowed in your city. Never alter or modify Safe & Sane fireworks.
- Never relight a firework or pick-up a firework that has not fully ignited.
- Always have a bucket of water nearby.
- After lighting a firework, quickly back away.
- Never allow children to light or play with fireworks, including sparklers.
- To report illegal firework activity, call the non-emergency line at 714-647-7000 or 949-770-6011. Select a language, then press 9 then 1 for dispatch. Please do not call 9-1-1 for firework activity, unless to a report an emergency such as a fire or injury that needs immediate medical attention.
NEWS RELEASE: Statement from Sheriff Barnes on enforcement of face coverings
Deputy rescues stolen horse, reunites with owner
When Deputy Ricketts first was assigned to San Juan Capistrano Police Services about a year ago he had heard tales of a caper who would sneak into horse stables at night, take a horse for a ride, then return the horse safely.
Although never proven to be true, the horse borrower stories prompted deputies to take additional proactive patrol checks around the city’s horse stables and equestrian centers during night shifts.
When Ricketts was dispatched at about 1 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, to a call involving a horse in a city parking lot, the tales he had heard didn’t cross his mind.
“We’ve had horses get loose before so the call itself didn’t strike me as odd,” he said.
When he arrived to the vacant city parking lot at Ramos Street and Paseo Adelanto, he found a brown and white gelding abandoned in the parking lot. Having experience riding horses as a teenager, Ricketts was able to calm and corral the horse until Animal Control arrived.
“They handed me a bridle and they handed me a rope and I used some apples to get the horse to come to me,” he said.
Ricketts placed the bridle on the horse and walked him back to the San Juan Capistrano Police Services substation. He tied the horse to a post and gave him water while they worked to find the owner.
The investigation showed a suspect broke in to a local stable and rode the horse bare-backed through the city. Security footage from the stables helped investigators identify the 42-year-old woman who was arrested later that day on suspicion of felony burglary and grand theft.
Deputies were able to reunite Quito 019, a 23-year-old Holsteiner gelding, with its grateful owners. Quito was a former Grand Prix jumper and continues to win championship ribbons as a dressage horse.
Did deputies nab the fabled horse caper? Maybe. However, they’ll continue to keep watch on local horse centers just in case.
NEWS RELEASE: OCSD to hold DUI checkpoint in Laguna Hills
For National Safety Month, consider implementing one new safety habit
June marks National Safety Month – a nationwide campaign promoted by the National Safety Council that encourages residents to adopt practices focused on preventing injuries or death at work, on the road and at home.
This month, commit to implementing at least one additional measure to help keep you, your family, your colleagues and your community safe. Here are some suggestions:
At work:
Opt to take a CPR and First-Aid class so you can serve as a resource for your workplace in the event of an emergency.
The most common reason CPR is utilized in the workplace is to aid someone suffering from a heart attack. In approximately 95 percent of cases, an individual dies before making it to a medical care facility. CPR can help keep blood flowing to the brain and the heart, increasing the chance of survival.
For every minute that passes with no intervention, the survival rate for a heart attack victim decreases by 7 percent.
CPR can also be critical in many other emergencies you may encounter at work including severe allergic reactions, electric shock or suffocation.
Check with your employer to determine whether they offer a company CPR and First-Aid course or visit redcross.org to find a class near you.
On the road:
Distracted driving remains one of the biggest dangers for motorists, with nearly 60 percent of drivers reporting being hit, or nearly hit, by another driver on a cell phone.
Although cell phone use is the biggest culprit for distracted driving, any behavior that pulls your attention from the road can be hazardous. This includes eating, applying makeup, changing clothes or reaching for items on the floor.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every day in the United States nine people are killed and approximately 1,000 are injured in crashes that involve distracted driving.
Stay focused while on the road and reduce your risk of being injured in a collision.
At home:
Make sure your family has plans in place should an emergency strike. Hold a family meeting and talk about how you would respond to an earthquake, fire or flood, and what safety measures you need to implement.
If you don’t have emergency kits already, take time this month to pack one and work on drafting an emergency plan. Visit readyoc.org for resources and tips on how to ensure your family is best prepared in the event of an emergency.
16-037674 OIS
On February 15, 2016, an officer-involved shooting occurred in the city of Yorba Linda. The subject was pronounced deceased. This case was investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's office and no criminal charges were filed. Link to responsive records- https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/OIS/OIS.16-037674.zip Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.
18-011596 Use of Force
On March 20, 2018 deputies were involved in a use of force in the city of San Clemente. The use of force was determined to be within policy. Training issues were identified and corrective action was addressed. Link to responsive records- https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.18-011596.zip Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.
18-039754 Use of Force
On October 4, 2018 deputies were involved in a use of force in the city of Lake Forest. The use of force was determined to be within policy. Link to responsive records- https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.18-039754.zip Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.