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Long Beach Sees Decline in Fireworks Reports Following Fourth of July Safety Campaign
By Staff Writer
Published on Fri, Jul 24, 2026
Long Beach residents celebrated Independence Day with fewer illegal fireworks-related reports this year. While thousands gathered along the shoreline to enjoy professional fireworks displays commemorating the nation's 250th birthday, community reporting and enforcement efforts helped reduce illegal fireworks activity across the city.
On July 4, the City received 587 fireworks-related reports, a 9% decrease compared to Independence Day 2025. Calls to the City's Communications Center specifically dropped nearly 18%, continuing a downward trend following years of coordinated education, outreach and enforcement efforts.
The City offers a variety of methods to report illegal fireworks, including the Go Long Beach app, email and calls to the Communications Center. This year, the city received 561 reports through the Go Long Beach app, 1,627 calls to the Communications Center and 52 emails to Long Beach Police Department patrol divisions.
The Long Beach Police Department also expanded enforcement efforts leading up to and on the holiday. Officers seized approximately 133 pounds of fireworks during June, along with 192 fireworks between July 1 and July 4. Eight fireworks-related citations were issued this year through Independence Day, while officers also made nine felony arrests and 21 misdemeanor arrests on July 4. In addition, footage from five fireworks-related incidents captured by police drones has been submitted to the City Prosecutor's Office for review.
The results build on years of coordinated City action to reduce illegal fireworks. Since the creation of the Interdepartmental Fireworks Working Group and implementation of the Fireworks Action Plan in 2020, fireworks-related calls for service have fallen from a peak of 8,882 calls in 2020 to 2,069 calls in 2025—a 77% reduction.
The City continues to invest in education, outreach and enforcement through its year-round Celebrate Safely campaign and enhanced fireworks ordinance. Long Beach remains committed to making Independence Day safer while encouraging residents to enjoy family-friendly activities and professional fireworks displays for years to come.
