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ORDINANCE NO. NS-XXX AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA REPEALING AND REENACTING IN ITS ENTIRETY ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 14 OF THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING FIREWORKS REGULATIONS AND CREATING CERTAIN PROHIBITIONS AGAINST POSSESSION OR USE OF FIREWORKS \� WHEREAS, during the past several years, the City of Santa Ana has experienced a significant increase in the use of Fireworks leading to an increased strain on dmergency services and the overall quality of life of its residents; and G' WHEREAS, during the 24-hour period of July 4, 2021, the City's Police dispatch center staff received 1,577 calls, which included 9-1-1 calls VIA, calls to the non - emergency line, and resulted in 419 Fireworks -related calls -for -slice. By comparison, on an average day, the City's Police dispatch center handles approximately 933 calls, both 9-1-1 and non -emergency calls, resulting in roughly 3�2 calls -for -service. This was a 69% increase over average daily calls and a 19% incre4s over average daily calls -for - service. During the peak time of 8:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m,�on July 4, 2021, the City's Police dispatch center received 191 calls, both 9-1-1 andAi li_emergency calls, which was an average of 4.2 calls per minute; and S. . L^ WHEREAS, the use of illegal Fireworks begins well before July 4th and continues well after New Year's celebrations and as increasingly occurred in times of the year outside of the periods immediately ping and following these major holidays; and 1 WHEREAS, a 2021 study by scientists at UC Irvine found that Independence Day Fireworks spark plumes of pollutants that can pose significant health risks; and WHEREAS, the same 2021 study found that peak Fireworks pollution was two times higher in communities with lower socioeconomic status, larger underrepresented group populations and" higher asthma rates; and WHEREAS, the use of illegal Fireworks constitutes a substantial fire safety risk as well as causes a disproportionate adverse impact on military veterans, pets, and other vulnerable populations; and 4N ?VHEREAS, the use of "safe and sane Fireworks" significantly contributes to fire, h� and safety risk; and WHEREAS, the City now seeks to take robust action to protect its residents, their pets, and their property from the use of all Fireworks by generally prohibiting them; and WHEREAS, it is therefore necessary to repeal the City's existing regulations governing Fireworks, appearing as Article II of Chapter 14 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, and enact new regulations. Ordinance No. NS-XXX Page 1 of 7