Proposes a change to city law: Changing the the city's public-safety rules to provide penalties for the prohibited discharge of fireworks, including that a first offense is punishable as an infraction with a fine not less than $125 or more than $250, and a second and any subsequent offenses within five years of a prior offense are punishable as misdemeanors with a fine not less than $250 or more than $750, or imprisonment in the County Jail of not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Ordinance amending the Police Code to provide penalties for the prohibited discharge of fireworks, including that a first offense is punishable as an infraction with a fine not less than $125 or more than $250, and a second and any subsequent offenses within five years of a prior offense are punishable as misdemeanors with a fine not less than $250 or more than $750, or imprisonment in the County Jail of not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
How it got here
The legislation originated from a Civil Grand Jury report highlighting the dangers of illegal fireworks in San Francisco and the need for enforceable penalties.
The Grand Jury published a report titled 'Uncontrolled Burn: Dimming the Spark of Illegal Fireworks in San Francisco,' identifying illegal fireworks as a serious problem and recommending additional legal tools for public safety officials.
The Board of Supervisors introduced an ordinance to amend the Police Code to establish penalties for the prohibited discharge of fireworks, responding to the Grand Jury's recommendations.
The ordinance was referred to the relevant departments for review, including the Police and Fire Departments.
The committee recommended the ordinance for passage, highlighting the need for penalties to deter illegal fireworks use.
The ordinance is scheduled for a meeting where it will be considered for final passage.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record
