With the Fourth of July celebrations just two weeks away, law enforcement agencies across the Inland Empire are preparing to increase enforcement efforts aimed at preventing the use of illegal fireworks.

Enforcement Efforts

Authorities say security measures will be heightened this year as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. In Riverside, police plan to once again use drone teams to help identify illegal fireworks activity throughout the city.

“RPD will deploy five drone teams again and each team will have two pilots and one code enforcement officer,” Riverside Police Department Lt. Chad Chinchilla said while updating city leaders on the department’s enforcement plans.

Chinchilla said the strategy was used last year and resulted in dozens of citations. “Sixty-five citations were issued. Twelve by the drone team. Two were dropped because of lack of evidence and 63 were prosecuted,” he said.

City officials are reminding residents that all fireworks are illegal in Riverside and that the minimum fine for violations is $1,500. Similar enforcement efforts are expected throughout Riverside County.

Fireworks Sales

Meanwhile, some communities in neighboring San Bernardino County continue to allow the sale and use of certain fireworks. Alan Krupa of Crazy Al’s Phantom Fireworks said fireworks are permitted only south of the 210 Freeway.

Krupa, who has been selling fireworks legally in San Bernardino County for more than two decades, said his store on Riverside Avenue will be fully stocked and open from Sunday through July 4.

Despite increased enforcement against illegal fireworks, Krupa said the restrictions have benefited his business. “It’s helped my business more than hurt it,” Krupa said. “Many people used to go to Nevada or Arizona or Mexico to get the illegal fireworks and would come to me and say they want to do the legal ones now.”

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.