IE Police Using Drones To Curb Illegal Fireworks For Fourth Of July: Report

CHINO, CA — Fourth of July festivities will be in full swing next weekend but one Southern California city may notice a different light show in the air as police use technology to prevent illegal fireworks with drone surveillance.

Lt. Michael Johnson of Chino Police Department told KTLA that last year officers responded to about 500 calls related to fireworks within a span of 24 hour on the Fourth of July.

To counter the danger that can come with setting off illegal fireworks, Chino PD deployed a drone to locate offenders. The drone captured multiple fireworks being set off in local neighborhood streets.

Each drone deployed has a team of officers, including an "observer" and a pilot, Johnson said.

This year, there will be several drones patrolling the skies in Chino. About 65 police officers will also be conducting enforcement operations on the Fourth of July, officials told KTLA.

Chino PD didn't disclose exactly how many drones will be surveilling the city on the Fourth of July.

"They will be able to zoom in. Captures pretty good footage so that you can articulately say who was launching (fireworks) when you got on scene or what residence it went back to," said Lt. Johnson.

Last week, city officials reminded residents that possession or use of illegal fireworks could result in a $1,000 fine. In addition, unsafe or inappropriate use of the city's sanctioned "safe and sane" fireworks could cost $500 per infraction.

"Keeping illegal fireworks out of our city isn’t about taking away the fun, it's about protecting our community," officials said on Facebook.

The City of Chino is offers an alternative to illegal fireworks for residents with its "safe and sane" fireworks, which can only be sold from July 1 at noon until July 4 at 9 p.m. The fireworks can only be ignited from July 1 at noon through July 4 midnight.