Steps were taken last week to amend the city’s ordinance relating to fireworks, among the changes being an increase in the fines for persons caught using illegal fireworks.

The other changes broaden the definition of dangerous fireworks, address Point of Sale safety requirements, strengthen the requirements for the storage of fireworks and provide updated standards for safety training at so-called safe and sane fireworks booths.

The new fines for anyone caught possessing or lighting illegal fireworks is $2,500 for a first time offense, $3,500 for a second offense and $4,500 for any third or subsequent violation.

“Over the past several years, we’ve seen reoccurring issues during the fireworks season, including increased illegal firework activity, fire hazard, property damage, and enforcement challenges, and neighborhood complaints related to noise, debris, and safety,” said Police Chief Trenton Johnson. “Because of these issues, staff reviewed the existing ordinance and is recommending several updates.”

Johnson said the new fine structure closely models the one in Modesto.

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.

The ordinance puts the onus on every property owner, occupant, lessee or tenant to maintain, manage and supervise property and all persons thereon in a manner so as not to violate the illegal fireworks provisions. That responsible person need not be present at the time dangerous fireworks are possessed or discharged in order for the city to issue an administrative citation.

Ceres resident John Warren said Ceres has a big problem with illegal fireworks but doesn’t have the ability to “go out and to take some action on these folks.” He said raising the fines is “probably not going to make a dent” in the problem. He also questioned if the city has been able to collect from those fined in past years and wondered if wages have been attached on those whose fines have not been paid.

“It’s good to move forward and adjust these rules and regulations, but it really doesn’t benefit the city in the very end,” Warren opined.

Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra echoed those concerns, saying the fines haven’t seemed to curb illegal fireworks use. She also questioned if the city has been able to collect from the violators.

Chief Johnson said the use of drone technology “greatly helped” police find violators “but that takes manpower and it’s over time.”

“If you just put officers out there, they may or may not be able to catch the violators,” said the chief. “I know Modesto used their airplane and air platforms, and with an airplane at 5,000 feet they can turn their camera and catch them quick. We don’t have an airplane so I think drones is probably our best resource.”

The chief noted that during the period of July 2-5, 2025, Ceres Police wrote 17 citations for fireworks, with five of them paid in full, five on a payment plan, and seven going to a collections agency.

City Attorney Nubia Goldstein said she doesn’t believe garnishing wages is possible but said “there may be a mechanism where if it’s a homeowner within the city limits and they own that property, that it might get a lien against the property. So we’d have to double check the provisions under the code to make sure that we could do it that way. But I need a little bit more time to look into it and bring it back to the council for an update.”

Even if a lien were placed on a property the city may not be able to collect for up to seven years.

“This is a really good step in the right direction,” said Councilwoman Cerina Otero. But she also expressed a desire to “figure out how to get these people to pay their fines.”

The council voted 5-0 to approve the ordinance changes.