KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
The City of Santa Clarita was not consulted in a “last-minute” decision to prohibit firework shows by Los Angeles County, officials said.
On Monday, June 29, a press release was issued from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH), announcing that all fireworks displays in the County are prohibited this Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Santa Clarita’s Spirit of America Fireworks show was scheduled for the Fourth and planned to be a “non-traditional” show in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a City spokesperson.
“After all the milestone events and celebrations that have been canceled to slow the spread of COVID, the City of Santa Clarita was looking forward to hosting this show to allow our community to enjoy a sense of normalcy,” said Mayor Cameron Smyth. “We were disappointed the decision to prohibit all shows was made without taking our safety protocols to restrict gatherings into consideration.”
The decision was made by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the director of the LADPH, without any consultation with the City of Santa Clarita, according to City officials.
“To prevent crowding that could result in the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Public Health announced (Monday) that fireworks displays are prohibited in Los Angeles County this weekend. Fireworks shows have been an integral part of July 4th celebrations since the first Independence Day in 1777,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “I understand that multiple cities, including those in my district, planned for and allocated resources toward fireworks displays that adhered to strict physical distancing protocols. It is disappointing that these decisions were made at the last minute without providing cities the opportunity to present their safety plans or give input.”
The percentage of positive COVID cases in Santa Clarita makes up an “extremely small percentage” of the total cases in Los Angeles County, according to the City in a statement.
“With the size of the County, this decision should not have been a blanket approach but should have taken into account the precautions Santa Clarita put in place,” the statement said.
The now-canceled fireworks show was intended to be launched from a central location in the City, the parking lot of Westfield Valencia Town Center, to allow a large portion of residents to be able to view the display from their homes or neighborhood parks, according to the City.
The entire mall and surrounding parking lots were planned to be closed to avoid opportunities for public gatherings.
“In addition, extensive public outreach was conducted, encouraging residents to watch from their vehicles, view the live-stream online or if they can see the display in person, enjoy it while practicing the necessary social distancing,” City officials said.
See Related: Santa Clarita Fireworks Show On Fourth Of July Canceled As Part Of L.A. County Restriction
A fireworks safety press conference was held at Fire Station 126 on Monday morning, encouraging residents to leave the fireworks to the professionals and not use illegal fireworks, which can cause injuries, spark brush fires and cause trauma. Without the professional display, the likelihood of celebrations, including illegal fireworks, is sure to increase.
“We want to remind residents that all fireworks are illegal in Santa Clarita,” said Smyth. “Please report illegal use through the City’s Resident Service Center to help inform our Sheriff patrols throughout the weekend.”
Through the “Illegal Fireworks” category in the City’s Resident Service Center (RSC), residents can report locations that have been problem areas for illegal fireworks in past years. This information will be automatically transmitted to the Sheriff’s Department so they can enter it into their database and know where they should focus their patrols.
This information gathered will be used to “predictively” map out problem areas of concern for law enforcement efforts. Reporting illegal fireworks through RSC will not result in an immediate response from the Sheriff’s Department.
The public can also report illegal fireworks anonymously by calling the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at (661) 255-1121. Do not dial 9-1-1 to report illegal fireworks unless it is a life-threatening emergency. For more information, visit here.
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Why do we need the City to provide a sense of “normalcy” when nothing is normal? I’m sad and intend to stay sad until when (or if) the biological threat is diminished. Save the rockets until we get a vaccine. Until then remember that nothing is normal and complacency kills
Excellent points well stated, Dave. I too would rather remain sad and alive rather than being entertained to death. We’ve all seen fireworks and been to the beach. Now it’s up to us to do our parts so we may all survive this pandemic that is far far from being done with us.
I applaud the LACounty Supervisors for their foresight to cancel the fireworks…….there are way too many people in Santa Clarita who have decided that the rules for safety of themselves and ALL OTHERS IN THIS COMMUNITY don’t matter. They are going to show the world how tough they are by not WEARING MASKS or SOCIAL DISTANCING. THEY EVEN want to reopen schools without masks, cleaning or caring. I guess the teachers & other students don’t matter. Much of this lack of following LAW & ORDER is being lead by the people on the city council and MAYORS office who don’t seem to think the large spread of Covid matters. Just come to my neighborhood in Canyon Country. Every nite we have teens shooting up fireworks throughout the night , often till mid nite. It’s very loud and annoying, which I think is the point
What do fireworks really have to do with the virus? They already stated people had to watch from their cars if they attend.
It’s still Ok though to protest in masses on the street?
Fireworks should definitely be legal and allowed if protesting is.
What do fireworks ‘really’ have to do with anyone’s constitutional right to protest?
Ding ding ding! The conservatives’ logic is so hypocritical. “The Government is infringing on my rights! If they’re going to take away [this thing I want] then they better take away your right to protest because I don’t think Black Lives Matter!”.
Disgusting. Enough said.
Let me guess. Trump supporter, right?
Sheesh! Get a grip!
Thank you, Mike! Double standard is common when dealing with liberals. When you ask logical questions it’s typical the comments follow with vile name calling and shaming.
People are fighting back, you cannot and will not silence people by resorting to name calling and shaming tactics. ??Enjoy your 4th if July! Celebrate irregardless of the cancelled show. FREEDOM to do so!!!
So happy that the County made the decision to pull the plug – even if the City didn’t have the common sense to do it themselves.
This was a nightmare in the making – as one of the few (or maybe the only) remaining scheduled Fireworks displays in Los Angeles County, it was being promoted far and wide. In fact my sister-in-law heard about it in the La Canada / Pasadena area.
The information even told spectators that the mall parking lot would be closed – so they should park in the surrounding residential neighborhoods. So much potential for disaster. Glad this decision was made.
I concur good sir.
I WISH like heck that we were NOT PART OF L.A. COUNTY. Sad to see that almost all the responses turn this into a political issue. Thank you for our GREAT CITY OF SANTA CLARITA for this post. So sad to see comments that reflect that some people are unable to appreciate an exceptional place to live.