With the arrival of Fourth of July festivities, Bexar County is taking steps to ensure the holiday is celebrated safely by its residents. A designated hotline has been set up by the county to address concerns regarding the reckless or illegal deployment of fireworks. According to KENS 5, citizens witnessing such acts are invited to report them by calling 210-335-0300, providing an avenue for intervention where needed.
As festivities draw near, Bexar County authorities emphasize the importance of adhering to local laws prohibiting the use of fireworks within 600 feet of hospitals, schools, and churches. Bexar County officials have recommended purchasing fireworks from a licensed vendor and exercising caution by having a water source at hand to douse residual debris. In the same breath, reminding the citizens, shooting fireworks from a vehicle remains strictly prohibited, as reported by KENS 5.
The hotline, which is part of the Bexar County Public Safety Communications Center, will operate from July 1 through July 5. This initiative reflects the county's commitment to curb the dangerous use of fireworks and ensure compliance with laws designed for public safety. Residents of unincorporated Bexar County, strapped with the responsibility of utilizing fireworks safely, can report incidents at 210-335-FIRE (3473), as stated by FOX San Antonio.
Watching a public display of fireworks is recommended as a safer alternative by officials, a sentiment echoed by KENS 5. For instances where fireworks are used within prohibited distances to hospitals or schools, offenders may face a Class C Misdemeanor, carrying fines ranging from $100 to $2,000. These regulations aim to prevent incidents that could disrupt the peace or pose dangers to sensitive locations like fuel dispensing stations where, within 100 feet, the use of fireworks is illegal.
During the holiday period, residents are reminded to keep the non-emergency lines open for less urgent reports, encouraging the utilization of the new hotline for fireworks-related issues. In any emergency, the immediate response should be to call 911. The establishment of this hotline represents the community's proactive approach to celebrating with an awareness of the inherent risks that accompany the spectacle of fireworks.
