California property owners fighting July 4th fireworks fines that total $1 million

"You can take out a loan, right? You can borrow the money against something that you might own, Stanton Mayor David Shawver said. I think probably one of the simplest ways would be to come in with a payment plan, which the city has done in the past, to where they make it affordable over a period of time so that the person can pay it."

"The administrative hearings are not open to the public, according to the city's Public Safety Director, Jim Wren. Stanton uses Turbo Data Systems to process citations, and its certified administrative hearing officers conduct the hearings, he said. According to city records, the majority of citations are in the tens of thousands of dollars range, but three are upwards of $100,000 with the costliest fine at $300,000."

"Property owners are responsible for the citation regardless of whether they were on the property at the time of the alleged illegal fireworks activity. From July 1 to July 4 between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. Stanton residents are allowed to spark up safe and sane fireworks on residential properties, according to Shawver. But, he said, Anything that explodes or leaves the ground is usually illegal."

Stanton's Fourth of July drone program produced nearly $1 million in citations against 18 people for illegal fireworks. All fines are being appealed, and administrative hearings to contest them have begun; hearings are closed to the public. The majority of citations fall in the tens of thousands of dollars, with three exceeding $100,000 and the largest at $300,000. Property owners are held liable for illegal fireworks on their property regardless of presence, under a social host ordinance. Safe-and-sane fireworks are permitted July 1–4 between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.; explosives or aerial devices remain illegal. Payment plans and loans are options for covering fines.

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