Local News in Brief : Fireworks Ban Demanded
A day after the busiest Fourth of July in its Fire Department’s history, the Los Angeles City Council Tuesday moved to cut off fire protection to San Fernando unless that city bans the sale of fireworks.
The council unanimously and without discussion voted to require the ban as a condition for a new fire protection contract with the small city.
Under the existing 10-year contract, which expires June 30, 1989, San Fernando is paying Los Angeles almost $1.4 million this year for fire protection.
“It is absurd for us to have a contract for fire suppression with a city that sells fireworks,” Councilwoman Joy Picus said after the meeting.
Fireworks have been banned in Los Angeles since 1942, but fireworks sold in San Fernando find their way into Los Angeles, which surrounds the small city, said Picus, who requested the action.
San Fernando Mayor Ray Richardson said last week that his city will seriously consider banning fireworks within the next month.
The Fire Department Monday responded to 1,959 calls throughout Los Angeles, making it the busiest Fourth of July on record, said Battalion Chief Dean Cathey. The department responds to an average of 800 calls a day.
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