Newark police received fewer complaints of fireworks this year than last.
A total of 56 calls of complaints were called into the police department, which is down from , said Sgt. Ray Hoppe of the
No injuries were reported, he added.
The holiday, however, did not go without fires. Two outside fires were extinguished last night, according to Aisha Knowles, Alameda County Fire Department spokesperson.
One fire occurred on the 39900 block of Parada Street around 10:40 p.m., while the other occurred nearly an hour later on the 6100 block of Tourraine Drive. Knowles said both fires were extinguished quickly by single fire engines and that it is unknown whether fireworks were the cause of the fires.
While the total of fireworks complaints are down, Hoppe said police officers likely encountered illegal firework usage while patrolling that could have been reported as complaints.
The total number of citations Newark police issued for the use or possession of illegal fireworks is unknown as of yet, but Hoppe said people who are found with illegal fireworks are often cited.
If individuals have fireworks similar to those used for firework shows, they could be arrested, but no arrests were made this Independence Day, Hoppe said.
The fires were extinguished quickly, each by a single fire engine and the cause of the fires is unknown as to whether they were caused by fireworks.
Newark is one of three Alameda County towns that allow the use of Safe and Sane fireworks that are sold before the holiday.
The use of fireworks was only permitted until midnight, and Hoppe said anyone who wishes to dispose of any fireworks can still contact the Alameda County Fire Department at 510-618-3490 to turn them in.
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Editor's note: This report was updated at 12:28 p.m. July 5 to include statistics of fires that occured on July 4.
