Memorial Day is fast approaching, ready to kick off the season of daytime barbecues and nighttime fireworks. And while barbecuing remains encouraged in Santa Maria (always), residents will need to slow their roll with the fireworks plans—the city is implementing its new “safe and sane” rules.
The City Council voted in favor of the tighter fireworks restrictions back in November, and now it’s time to roll them out. Usage of safe and sane fireworks will be limited to between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 4, rather than from late June through July 4, as was previously permitted, according to Santa Maria city spokesman Mark Van de Kamp. Additionally, a Public Safety Fireworks Task Force will enhance enforcement to make sure residents are following the new rules.
Residents concerned with how fireworks affect pets successfully petitioned the city last year to get these new rules on the table. At the City Council’s Nov. 17, 2015, meeting, Debbie Warren spoke on behalf of Citizens for “Zero Tolerance” of Illegal Fireworks to thank city administrators for their efforts.
“We do look forward to trying to get a handle on the fireworks issue,” Warren said at the meeting. “We are not trying to ban safe and sane, just so everybody knows. I’m a traditional gal. I like our Fourth of July.”
For residents hoping to request extra respect from their neighbors on July 4, the city is distributing a limited number of yard signs reading, “Celebrate the 4th in a neighborly way because a noise-sensitive resident lives here.”
