Fullerton to Consider Outlawing Fireworks : Council to Discuss Joining Most O.C. Cities With Ban on Use and Sales

Fullerton, one of the few remaining Orange County cities allowing the sale and use of so-called safe and sane fireworks, will consider outlawing them Tuesday.

The City Council has scheduled a public hearing to consider a report from Fire Chief Ron Coleman that recommends banning fireworks except when used in an organized public display.

Although Coleman’s report shows Fullerton had five times more fireworks-related fires in July than neighboring Anaheim, which outlawed fireworks in 1986, most council members said last week that they like fireworks and aren’t sure they want to prohibit them.

“A very strong emotional issue can be made to get rid of them,” Councilman Richard C. Ackerman said. “I can make the same argument against Halloween.”

In the past five years, all but six Orange County cities have outlawed sparklers, Ground Bloom Flowers, Piccolo Petes and assorted other fireworks that were long a part of the Fourth of July tradition.

The Risk Factor

Besides Fullerton, fireworks are legal in Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Orange and Santa Ana, although Garden Grove will consider banning them next month.

Fullerton Mayor Molly McClanahan said she asked the council to consider the fireworks ban because the 1988-89 Orange County Grand Jury urged cities still allowing fireworks to ban them immediately.

“It is a question of how you balance people’s rights and determine what’s in the public’s welfare,” McClanahan said.

Councilman A.B. (Buck) Catlin said banning fireworks would ruin his family’s traditional July 4 backyard picnic, climaxed by fireworks.

“It’s a great tradition,” he said. “I’d hate to see that just thrown out.”

Banning fireworks also would hurt church groups and youth sports leagues, which receive much of their income from operating fireworks stands, he said.

Catlin said he favors putting the issue on the ballot.

Although fireworks can cause fires and injuries, Ackerman said, he doesn’t want the irresponsible actions of a few to dictate city policy.

Legal in 5 Cities

“Aside from the more emotional issues such as tradition, family picnics and neighborhood block parties that have been part of our history for a long time, I’m looking at it from a risk factor,” he said.

Calls to the police and fire departments increased last July 4, he said, but they also typically increase on Halloween.

“And yet we’re not saying let’s get rid of Halloween.”

Councilman Chris Norby also said he isn’t sure fireworks pose a greater threat than other holidays. Parched Christmas trees cause fires that burn down houses every year, he said.

“I’m wondering exactly where you draw the line,” Norby said.

Norby said he enjoys fireworks and wants to see them remain legal if possible.

“I’ve got an open mind,” he said. “But I don’t want to see them prohibited without a lot of thought put into it.”

McClanahan and Councilman Don Bankhead said they will wait until Tuesday’s public hearing before forming an opinion on banning fireworks.

“I was born on the Fourth of July, so, yes, I grew up with fireworks,” Bankhead said. But as a retired police officer of 31 years, he said, “I’ve seen a lot of grief caused by fireworks.”

Some council members have received two-page petitions from residents asking for a ban. They also have received letters from community organizations asking that fireworks remain legal.

One of those letters was from Ginny Damato, president of the Fullerton Emblem Club, which received $2,843 last year from fireworks sales. That money is “a very big portion” of the club’s annual charity fund raising, she said.

Stan Ault, president of Orangethorpe United Methodist Men, said his group raised more than $3,000 for its church in July by selling fireworks. Fireworks sales are a 32-year tradition for the church, he said, and the group doesn’t know how it would make up for the loss.

The Boys Club of Fullerton Alumni, which raises money for the Boys Club, already is looking for ways to replace the $5,000 it made this year from fireworks sales, executive director Merlyn E. Raco said.

“I knew eventually it would come about,” Raco said.

The Boys Club will benefit if fireworks remain legal, Raco said. But, he added, “you cannot justify some of the mishaps that have been occurring with fireworks.”

The public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council chambers.