Noisy Fourth of July

110 Pounds of Fireworks Seized

By Jondi Gumz

During Fourth of July weekend, Santa Cruz County deputies confiscated 110 pounds of fireworks and issued 11 citations for fireworks but residents of Rio Del Mar and Seacliff sharing their frustrations on NextDoor say it was like a war zone – again.

“We felt like we were under siege,” wrote Kim O’Meara, describing the Rio Del Mar Flats. “So many huge fire works, so much smoke we were gagging on it.”

Leslie-Anne Morgan-Erickson agreed, “The smoke was so thick I had to close all the windows.”

After she messaged the Sheriff’s Office, a fire engine drove through the area, but once it left, the fireworks started again. Firefighters drove to the area again, turning on their spotlights and getting out of the truck but once they left, the fireworks went on for 90 minutes, according to Morgan-Erickson.

“Of the 4 yrs I’ve been here for the 4th of July, this year was the worst,” she wrote.

“Smoke everywhere,” wrote Betsy Hare. “My 11yr old Havanese is terrified, shivering and crying for hours.”

Seacliff residents reported much the same.

“M80s cherry bomb blowing off everywhere,” wrote Deb Iannarelli.

“Poor dog is shaking and trying to keep her calm,” wrote Loren Morse.

“Last night was the worst I ever had getting to sleep with all the illegal pop …fireworks going on till about 2 a.m.,” wrote Pat Hanson.

“A lot of fireworks going off but mainly that’s dealt with by law enforcement,” said Mike DeMars, fire marshal with Aptos La Selva Fire Protection District.

Besides the fireworks citation and confiscations, there were 80 parking citations and seven open container citations, according to Ashley Keehn, spokeswoman for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff Office.

On Saturday night, deputies responded to a report of a bullet entering a home on Miller Avenue in Freedom within inches of a 10-year-old girl arrested Douglas Paz for negligent discharge of a firearm and resisting arrest.

Deputies say Paz was shooting into the ground to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. During a search, three guns were seized, including the revolver used, according to deputies.

The Fourth was calmer for the Santa Cruz Police Department, which reported that during the 24 hour July 4 holiday period, there were no reported major acts of violence or crime.

Officers responded to 300 calls for service, made 10 arrests, for disorderly conduct, and issued six citations.

Police estimated beach crowds at their peak were around 5,000, far less than in year’s past.

scsheriff.com