San Bernardino Council Continues Fireworks Sales With 10% Tax Amid Safety Concerns

The San Bernardino City Council voted 5-2 to continue allowing the sale of safe and sane fireworks this year, rejecting a proposed one-year ban despite concerns about safety, costs, and community impact. An additional 10% tax on fireworks sales will be imposed to fund enforcement and educational efforts, as the city currently spends significantly more on enforcement and emergency responses than it earns from fireworks revenues. Police Chief Darren Goodman emphasized that legal fireworks sales help combat illegal fireworks use, which poses greater dangers and results in numerous calls for service, arrests, and confiscations. Councilmember Treasure Ortiz and others voiced worries about the financial losses and public safety issues related to fireworks, including effects on veterans with PTSD, animals, and potential fire hazards. Nonprofit organizations remain the only entities permitted to sell fireworks, with a cap on permits, and fireworks are banned north of the 210 freeway. Despite calls to ban fireworks entirely, many community members support the continuation of sales due to the benefits nonprofits receive and the challenges of curbing illegal fireworks use.