Pacifica residents will vote whether or not to ban Safe & Sane fireworks in the November 8th, 2022 election. This page aims to provide some additional context about how the information on this site relates to banning Safe & Sane fireworks. For more details, please read the information on the homepage.
Banning Safe & Sane fireworks is often touted as a solution to firework dangers, noise concerns, and pollution. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Already illegal fireworks are the source of the majority of these problems and banning the fireworks sold from city approved booths will do nothing to prevent these issues. However, banning Safe and Sane fireworks will reduce the funding for local non profits and tax income the city uses to pay additional officers, firefighters, and city works on the 4th of July. In 2022, the 8% city tax on Safe and Sane fireworks brought in $41,211 which was more than the police, fire, and public works costs for July 4th. (Source: 2022.9.26 Agenda pg 102)
Banning Safe and Sane fireworks will do nothing to prevent these issues.
Some neighboring Bay Area cities have already banned Safe and Sane fireworks years ago, yet still have the same illegal firework problems as Pacifica. For example, illegal fireworks in San Jose have become such an issue that they will no longer respond to illegal firework usage, but only try to fine those involved after the fact (and only if citizens can collect enough evidence). Clearly such a policy can’t reduce the noise nuisance or improve the safety of those around. More details about San Jose’s enforcement can be found on their Fireworks FAQs page.
Voting NO on measure Q ensures funding for our city and local nonprofits.