Southern California residents engaging in illegal fireworks may soon find themselves under surveillance by police drones, a strategy being employed by the Riverside Police Department for the second consecutive year. This initiative aims to curb the widespread misuse of pyrotechnics, particularly during the Independence Day holiday.
California law prohibits the sale, transport, and use of fireworks lacking the "safe and sane" certification from the state fire marshal, which ensures they do not explode or launch erratically. Many cities further restrict or ban all fireworks. Despite these regulations, illegal firework use remains a persistent problem, evidenced by recent incidents including a fatality and severe injuries linked to improper handling of illicit devices.
The Riverside Police Department utilizes drones operated by a dedicated pilot, accompanied by code enforcement officers, firefighters, and police personnel. This team identifies and responds to illegal firework activity reported by residents or observed by the drone. In 2025, Riverside recorded a significant increase in calls related to illegal fireworks, with 547 reports compared to 477 the previous year. Citations also rose sharply to 65, up from 24, a trend the department attributes to the drone program's effectiveness in documenting offenses.
Historically, law enforcement faced challenges in apprehending individuals using illegal fireworks, as they often ceased activity upon the appearance of patrol cars or helicopters. Drones provide persistent aerial observation, enabling officers to capture evidence for citations and prosecution. Under Riverside's Social Host Ordinance, property owners are held responsible for illegal firework use on their premises, even if they did not personally ignite the devices. Fines for violations in Riverside amount to $1,500.
The deployment of drones by law enforcement has seen a nationwide expansion. Charles Warner, founder of Drone Responders, notes that the "Drone as a First Responder" concept, pioneered in Chula Vista, has gained traction following regulatory amendments. An estimated 1,500 law enforcement agencies in the U.S. now operate drone programs, with 58 in California. The Los Angeles Police Department, for instance, reported over 3,000 drone deployments last year, primarily for emergency response and officer assistance.
Concerns regarding privacy are addressed by protocols that ensure drones are deployed in response to specific incidents rather than for general surveillance. Riverside police have reported positive community reception to their drone initiative for fireworks enforcement. Officials emphasize that regulations are in place for public safety, highlighting the dangers associated with illegal fireworks. Nationwide, fireworks-related incidents in 2025 resulted in approximately 15 deaths and 13,000 injuries, with burns and injuries to hands, fingers, head, face, and ears being common. Fireworks also contribute to numerous fires annually, including structure and outdoor blazes.
