STANTON : Council Legalizes Fireworks Sales

The City Council voted 3 to 2 this week to legalize fireworks in spite of protests from residents and the County Fire Department.

Stanton becomes one of five cities in the county to allow state-approved fireworks.

Mayor Sal Sapien and Councilmen Harry Dotson and William C. Estrada voted to allow the sale and use of fireworks. They said they want nonprofit organizations to be able to sell fireworks to make money as the groups did before residents voted in 1988 for a ban.

Sapien said residents already buy fireworks in Garden Grove, which borders Stanton on three sides. “We get all the drawbacks of fireworks, but none of the benefits,” Sapien said.

Patrick McIntosh, assistant fire marshal, showed charts to the council to demonstrate that the number of fireworks-related fires has dropped by more than 50% in the last 12 years. The number of fireworks-related injuries has fallen from 37 to three in the same time, he said. Those numbers include both legal and illegal fireworks, McIntosh said. He urged the council not to legalize fireworks.

“Orange County is set for a disaster at any time during those summer months,” McIntosh warned. “There are safer ways to raise money than selling fireworks.”

Dennis C. Revell, a consultant for two fireworks manufacturers, said the number of accidents involving fireworks has decreased because of public safety education and not because of fireworks bans.

Paul McCarville spoke on behalf of the Knights of Columbus to appeal for the chance to sell fireworks. He said his group could make up to $3,000 from sales during early July, adding about 30% to the money raised each year through pancake breakfasts and donations.

Eight groups will be allowed this summer to sell state-approved fireworks.

But Sapien said the city must recover all of the estimated $11,060 to $13,860 cost of hiring extra firefighters and licensing the fireworks booths.

Vendors will be charged up to $1,730 for a permit. Joan Thomas, director of the chamber of commerce, said the steep fees could eat up more than half of her group’s anticipated profits if they sell fireworks and may make it not worthwhile.

The council approved fireworks sales for July 1-4. Fireworks will not be sold after 9 p.m. and may not be used after 10 p.m.