Newsletters
FFF Newsletter # 30 - June 26, 2021
Hello All ~
Our last newsletter was sent a little over a month ago. Much has happened since then, mostly news learned via ... the news media!
Beginning with a news story on May 22, we learned that a half-a-ton of fireworks were seized during a multi-agency search in Santa Cruz County. That story was followed by a June 8 article in the Good Times, then The Mercury News and Pajaronian both on June 11, then the Mayor of Watsonville's message was published in the Sentinel on June 13, another Pajaronian article on June 16 about property owners in Watsonville being fined if their tenants use fireworks, a June 17 New York Times article about California's efforts to stop internet sales, a June 25 KSBW-TV news story about Watsonville providing an app to report fireworks, and today (June 26) The Mercury News reported that authorities seized about 15,000 pounds of illegal fireworks and $1 million cash and arrested two people earlier this week, authorities said Friday. Book 'em Dano!
Take some time to read all of these news stories, plus letters-to-the-editior by going here http://freedomfromfireworks.weebly.com/news--articles.html.
Has Anything Changed?
Yes and no, because no matter what is published in the media people are still setting off fireworks, although some areas of the county seem to be experiencing reduced fireworks activity the week before the 4th. Perhaps family members are finally telling one another to Just Stop! Perhaps there is the scare of fires.
Our last newsletter was sent a little over a month ago. Much has happened since then, mostly news learned via ... the news media!
Beginning with a news story on May 22, we learned that a half-a-ton of fireworks were seized during a multi-agency search in Santa Cruz County. That story was followed by a June 8 article in the Good Times, then The Mercury News and Pajaronian both on June 11, then the Mayor of Watsonville's message was published in the Sentinel on June 13, another Pajaronian article on June 16 about property owners in Watsonville being fined if their tenants use fireworks, a June 17 New York Times article about California's efforts to stop internet sales, a June 25 KSBW-TV news story about Watsonville providing an app to report fireworks, and today (June 26) The Mercury News reported that authorities seized about 15,000 pounds of illegal fireworks and $1 million cash and arrested two people earlier this week, authorities said Friday. Book 'em Dano!
Take some time to read all of these news stories, plus letters-to-the-editior by going here http://freedomfromfireworks.weebly.com/news--articles.html.
Has Anything Changed?
Yes and no, because no matter what is published in the media people are still setting off fireworks, although some areas of the county seem to be experiencing reduced fireworks activity the week before the 4th. Perhaps family members are finally telling one another to Just Stop! Perhaps there is the scare of fires.
Perhaps the supply is less easy to acquire. One thing is for sure, fireworks is an intolerable mess up and down the California coast, not just in Santa Cruz. Misery doesn't love company but it is good to know we are not alone. In a way.
Meanwhile, in June the County did send letters to all vacation rental property owners. The letter included this:
The county code for “Safety Enhancement Penalties” (8.34), will be in effect June 28th through July 10th, 2022. During this time, enhanced fines will be in effect totaling $1,000.00 for specific alcohol, noise and fireworks offenses listed below:
1. SCCC 7.92.5600, manufacture, possession, storage, sale, transportation, use of explosives, including, but not limited to, all fireworks;
2. SCCC 8.02.020, alcohol consumption—public place;
3. SCCC 8.18.030, Live Oak and Davenport Beach use violation between 10pm and 6am;
4. SCCC 8.28.030, 8.28.050, 8.28.060 and 8.28.070, discharging firearms;
5. SCCC 8.30.010, offensive noise between 10pm and 8am;
6. SCCC 8.30.020, subsequent offensive noise within 48 hours.
Your vacation rental is regulated by County Ordinance 13.10.694 and the conduct of your renters may negatively impact future application approvals.
Unfortunately, the Sheriff's office misstated the Noise Ordinance. It was amended in 2017 to prohibit "offensive noise" 24 hours a day, not just after 10 pm. The decibel levels that define "offensive noise" are lower for after 10 pm, but offensive noise is still prohibited from 8 am to 10 pm. The full ordinance is available by clicking HERE.
Social Host Ordinance
Our goal for next year is to have the Board of Supervisors pass a Social Host Ordinance, so its not just a reminder for property owners to monitor and manage their renters, but that the property owner themselves will be fined if their renters possess and use any fireworks. This Social Host Ordinance should be adopted by all four incorporated cities within Santa Cruz County (Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Capitola and Santa Cruz).
We're all in this together, so we close with the same call for peace and quiet as the 4th approaches and during that usually long and miserable night. Take care. Stay well. Call 911 and report fireworks possession and use. Specific addresses help. Even an intersection. Remind law enforcement that they do not need to see anyone light fireworks in order to cite them for possession.
In Solidarity,
Jean Brocklebank
Michael Lewis
http://freedomfromfireworks.weebly.com/
Meanwhile, in June the County did send letters to all vacation rental property owners. The letter included this:
The county code for “Safety Enhancement Penalties” (8.34), will be in effect June 28th through July 10th, 2022. During this time, enhanced fines will be in effect totaling $1,000.00 for specific alcohol, noise and fireworks offenses listed below:
1. SCCC 7.92.5600, manufacture, possession, storage, sale, transportation, use of explosives, including, but not limited to, all fireworks;
2. SCCC 8.02.020, alcohol consumption—public place;
3. SCCC 8.18.030, Live Oak and Davenport Beach use violation between 10pm and 6am;
4. SCCC 8.28.030, 8.28.050, 8.28.060 and 8.28.070, discharging firearms;
5. SCCC 8.30.010, offensive noise between 10pm and 8am;
6. SCCC 8.30.020, subsequent offensive noise within 48 hours.
Your vacation rental is regulated by County Ordinance 13.10.694 and the conduct of your renters may negatively impact future application approvals.
Unfortunately, the Sheriff's office misstated the Noise Ordinance. It was amended in 2017 to prohibit "offensive noise" 24 hours a day, not just after 10 pm. The decibel levels that define "offensive noise" are lower for after 10 pm, but offensive noise is still prohibited from 8 am to 10 pm. The full ordinance is available by clicking HERE.
Social Host Ordinance
Our goal for next year is to have the Board of Supervisors pass a Social Host Ordinance, so its not just a reminder for property owners to monitor and manage their renters, but that the property owner themselves will be fined if their renters possess and use any fireworks. This Social Host Ordinance should be adopted by all four incorporated cities within Santa Cruz County (Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Capitola and Santa Cruz).
We're all in this together, so we close with the same call for peace and quiet as the 4th approaches and during that usually long and miserable night. Take care. Stay well. Call 911 and report fireworks possession and use. Specific addresses help. Even an intersection. Remind law enforcement that they do not need to see anyone light fireworks in order to cite them for possession.
In Solidarity,
Jean Brocklebank
Michael Lewis
http://freedomfromfireworks.weebly.com/