Next week, the Woodland City Council will discuss introducing a "Social Host Liability" ordinance that would allow fire department, law enforcement and code enforcement personnel to hold people responsible for the discharge of illegal fireworks.

"Similar to many cities in the Sacramento region and throughout California, the city of Woodland has seen an increase in the amount of illegal fireworks activity during the 4th of July period," the staff report stated. "Some resulted in injuries and fired. This can become a great risk to public safety as it impacts the number of 911 calls for service, resulting in longer response times for other critical emergencies."

People cited under the proposed ordinance would be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 and would be allowed to request a hearing per the Woodland Municipal Code, according to city staff. The ordinance aims to hold people in possession of real property or the host of a gathering on public or private property responsible for the discharge of any illegal fireworks.

Investigators with the Woodland Fire Department and local police officers have been tackling illegal fireworks through public education and awareness campaigns, according to city staff.

"Educational messaging reminds the public of what types of fireworks are permitted, when and where they can be used and how to safely use them," the report explained. "Structure and vegetation fires caused by firework activities are generally the result of using fireworks that are explosive or aerially launched."

The fire and police department hasve worked toward reducing the number of illegal fireworks in Woodland by stopping sales of illegal fireworks and responding to firework-related complaints during the Fourth of July holiday and the weeks leading to it, according to the report.

City staff argue that the ordinance would improve enforcement capabilities by allowing officers to focus on a particular person or group of people responsible for the property or event.

"Typically, it is not difficult for enforcement officers to identify the specific location an aerial firework originates," the report noted. "The challenge lies in identifying the specific individual user or possessor of the firework."

City staff hope that the introduction of this ordinance accompanied by social media outreach to inform the public of potential penalties are likely to have a significant impact on reducing illegal fireworks.

Staff believes the ordinance is crafted in a manner that avoids narrow applications to property owners only.

"It is designed to apply to any person who has the right to use, possess or occupy a public or private property under a lease, permit, license, rental agreement or contract. The ordinance could be applied to any person who host, organizes, supervises, officiates, conducts or accepts responsibility for a gathering on public or private property."

The report noted that the ordinance does not apply to responsible parties who immediately seek the city's assistance in removing non-compliant individuals.

The ordinance will be discussed during the City Council's next meeting on Tuesday via Zoom.