Safety on the Fourth

The Fourth of July is a holiday that most public safety officials don’t get to spend with their families.

Everyone’s on.

With crowds, drinking and fireworks, Uncle Sam’s birthday has historically meant quite a headache for Newport-Mesa’s police and fire departments. This year, they’re warning the public early and making sure that everyone ? visitors and residents alike ? knows the rules.

In Newport Beach particularly, there is a huge influx of people coming to the beach for the holiday. Last year, police arrested more than 100 people on the Fourth of July. Seventy-two percent of those arrests were alcohol-related, and 89% of those arrested were non-Newport Beach residents, Newport Beach Police Sgt. Bill Hartford said.

Although fireworks of any kind are not allowed in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa allows the purchase and possession of so-called safe and sane fireworks. Costa Mesa Police and Fire will work together to ensure only legal fireworks are being used safely.

For information on Fourth of July rules and regulations in Newport Beach, call (949) 644-3696; in Costa Mesa, call (714) 754-4963.