Eugene Springfield Fire and Eugene Police and the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit have been taking steps to reduce the volume of unlawful displays, including through public service announcements, education and enforcement. This year, more emphasis was placed on outreach and enforcement. The goal is to raise awareness and reduce illegal fireworks hazards. June 24, 2014, the Eugene City Council approved two City Code changes to address the pervasive use of fireworks, which raises many concerns for the safety and wellbeing of animals, senior citizens, military veterans, refugees, and community members at large. There has also been concern regarding injuries and fires caused by fireworks that can damage property and the environment.
Eugene Police staffed additional officers on Friday July 4, from 8 p.m. to July 5 at 2 a.m., while Fire crews patrolled neighborhoods to note and report illegal fireworks activity.
Additional data regarding crime prevention efforts prior to the 4th will be available next week. For follow up interviews, the first availability should be Sunday July 6.
Fireworks Enforcement Statistics July 4 from 8 p.m. to July 5 at 2 a.m.
PRELIMINARY 2014 JULY 4 TOTAL ILLEGAL FIREWORKS CALLS ENTERED – 165
CONTACTS MADE BY ENFORCEMENT DETAIL – 68
• POSSESSION ILLEGAL FIREWORKS CITATIONS - 9
• ADVISED REGARDING FIREWORKS USE - 16
• QUIET ON ARRIVAL OR GONE ON ARRIVAL - 35
• RESOLVED OR UNFOUNDED - 8
Social host warnings/cites/arrests:
• NONE
Charged were:
FACKLER, MATTHEW S.03201971 CLC -POSSESSION ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
HOGANSEN, GARY L.08221954 CLC-POSSESSION ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
EBA,ABRAHAM B.07211993 CLC-POSSESSION ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
GALINDO,NICOLAS.10241990 CLC-POSSESSION ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
CACERES,WOLFREDO A.09221982 CLC-POSSESSION ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
BENWAY,RAYMOND JR.07151993 CLC-POSSESSION ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
HETRICK,MARK VERNON.04171963 CLC-POSSESSION ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
SILBERSTEIN,AARON N.10181974 CLC-POSSESSION ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
VALENTINE,CALEB E.01021990 CLC-POSSESSION ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
Previous Years – Illegal Fireworks Calls in Eugene
2013 = 247 calls
2012 = 177
2011 = 214
2010 = 133
2009 = 174
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The City Code changes include:
1) Within Eugene, fireworks that are legal for retail purchase can be used only between June 23 and July 6 and December 31 and January 1. (City Code 4.934). Violation of the ordinance is punishable by jail and the base fine has been set at $250.
2) The use of illegal fireworks during anytime of the year, or the use of fireworks that are legal for retail purchase other than between June 23 and July 6 and December 31 and January 1, has been added to the Social Host ordinance ( 4.670).
The social host, or ordinance on unruly gatherings, holds individuals criminally responsible for hosting, organizing and allowing an unruly event or social gathering. Property owners where the event is hosted will also be penalized if there are multiple violations of this ordinance at the same property. The Eugene Municipal Court has assigned a base fine of $375 for criminal violations of this ordinance. Both hosts and property owners could be civilly liable for police, fire and public works response to repeated illegal gatherings that fall under this ordinance.
For more information: SOCIAL HOST
Information about fireworks has also being sent out through media/social media, Neighborhood Watch groups, Neighborhood Associations, and fireworks vendors. ###