Residents will likely see an increase in illegal fireworks this year because of the Fourth of July holiday falling on Saturday and due to the 250th anniversary celebration of America’s independence but police will attempt to catch as many violators as they can.
Those caught setting off illegal fireworks – any aerial mortars or explosives – will face fines of $2,500 for a first time offense, $3,500 for a second offense and $4,500 for any third or subsequent violation.
Ceres Police Chief Trenton Johnson said more police officers will be on the streets dedicated to solely catching those using the illegal variety.
“Believe it or not our staffing will be double what it was last year because our staffing has gotten better,” said Chief Johnson.
Ceres Police will also have an officer on patrol both Friday and Saturday specifically looking for intoxicated drivers on the road.
Chief Johnson himself will be manning the police drone in attempt to identify culprits from a maximum altitude of 400 feet which will be hard for anyone to spot in the sky.
“Our drone was successful last year. We were actually able to catch people lighting illegal fireworks from their backyard and the street.”
Johnson said the drone he will be using has a powerful zoom which can spot someone from a great distance. For example, he said the drone launched above Ceres Police headquarters on Third Street can zoom into a front door of a business at Mitchell and Service roads.
The chief noted that during the period of July 2-5, 2025, Ceres Police wrote 17 administrative citations for fireworks. He said roughly half of violators pay the fine while the other half are sent to a collections agency.
Ceres Police have a criminal case against someone charged with selling fireworks. Any person who engages in the sales, manufacture, or distribution of dangerous fireworks shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be subject to an administrative penalty of $10,000 per occurrence or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months. Any person who sales, manufactures, or transports dangerous fireworks is also in violation of the California Health and Safety Code and can have the violation referred to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.
Local residents can buy “safe and sane” fireworks locally, with booths that opened on Sunday and operated by nonprofit groups for fundraising. Sales are allowed to run through noon on July 6.
Reports of illegal fireworks may be phoned into the fireworks hotline, which will be manned from 8 p.m. to midnight on both Friday and Saturday, at a non-emergency police line of 209-538-LOUD or 209-538-5683. Reports of illegal fireworks may also be emailed to fireworkshotline@cerespolice.com
Citizens may report the use of illegal fireworks through the Nail ’em smartphone app. Reporting parties may take a picture to upload it or simply type in the address or the area that it’s coming from and Ceres Police will add that information into calls for service.
The following are some basic safety tips for safe and sane fireworks:
- Stay sober: Never handle or light fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Designate a sober adult to be in charge.
- Clear a space: Set off fireworks strictly outdoors in a wide-open area —well away from spectators, dry brush, vehicles, and buildings.
- Have water ready: Keep a garden hose or a large bucket of water handy at all times to douse malfunctioning fireworks and manage accidental brush fires.
- Extended reach: Light fireworks one at a time, using an extended lighter or a punk. Always extend your arm outward, and never place your head or body directly over a device when lighting.
- Step back: Move to a safe, designated distance immediately after lighting the fuse.
- Never relight duds: If a firework fails to go off, never attempt to relight it or pick it up. Wait at least 20 minutes, then soak it in a large bucket of water before disposal.
