Resolution - 2021-59RESOLUTION NO. 2021-59
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A
FIREWORKS REWARD PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING
STAFF TO UNDERTAKE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS
CONSISTENT THEREWITH
WHEREAS, fireworks are the cause of many fires and personal injuries; and
WHEREAS, the Consumer Product Safety Commission's 2019 Fireworks Annual Report,
published in June 2020, states that fireworks were involved with an estimated 10,000 injuries
treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during calendar year 2019, and 7,300 fireworks -
related injuries (73%ofthe total estimated fireworks -related injuries in 2019)were treated in U.S.
hospital emergency departments during a one -month special study period between June 21, 2019
and July 21, 2019. The report states that children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 36%
ofthe estimated fireworks -related injuries, and nearly half ofthe estimated emergency department -
treated fireworks -related injuries were to individuals younger than 20 years of age; and
WHEREAS, the use of illegal fireworks in the City of West Covina is an immediate public
peace, health, and safety concern; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article III (Fireworks) of Chapter 15 (Miscellaneous Provisions
Relating to Public Health and Safety) of the West Covina Municipal Code, the sale, use and
discharge of fireworks, including safe and sane fireworks, is prohibited within the City; and
WHEREAS, the use of illegal fireworks is a particularly prominent problem around the
Independence Day holiday; and
WHEREAS, illegal fireworks activities can promote among residents feelings of fire
danger, decreased safety, and nuisance —and those feelings should be mitigated; and
WHEREAS, the support of the community through reporting of fireworks violations
greatly aids the Police Department's efforts to cite and prosecute fireworks violations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish a cash reward program to encourage
members of the community to report such violations in order to increase the opportunity for
Police officers to cite fireworks violators; and
WHEREAS, implementing the reward would be consistent with and taken for the
immediate protection of public peace, health, and safety.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA,
CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby formally endorses and establishes the West
Covina Police Department fireworks reward program.
SECTION 2. A cash reward in the amount of $200 is hereby approved and authorized
for individuals who provide information that leads to a citation for violation ofthe provisions of
Article III (Fireworks) of Chapter 15 (Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Public Health and
Safety) of the West Covina Municipal Code or for violation of provisions of California law
related to fireworks.
SECTION 3. The following persons are not eligible for the reward: City employees,
City officials, and City contractors.
SECTION 4. The City Council directs City officials and staff to take appropriate steps in
furtherance of the establishment of the fireworks reward program to promote the citation and
prosecution of fireworks violators.
SECTION 5. The City Council hereby delegates to the Chief of Police the authority to
execute all documents on behalf of the City consistent with this resolution.
SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption ofthis resolution and shall enter
the same in the book of original resolutions and it shall become effective immediately.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 1st day of June, 2021.
APPRO TO FORM ATTEST
A� d
0 A YJLZ,��14
Thomas P. Du rte Lisa Sherrip� c
City Attorney Assistant gity Cleric
I, LISA SHERRICK, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK ofthe City of West Covina, California,
do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2021-59 was duly adopted by the City Council
of the City of West Covina, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 1st day of June,
2021, by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES: Castellanos, Diaz, Lopez-Viado,Wu
NOES: Tabatabai
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Lisa She ck
Assistan City Clerk