Nearly 50,000 people packed Elk Grove Regional Park for the city’s Salute to the Red, White and Blue celebration, turning the Fourth of July into one of the busiest nights the police department has seen. What started as a family-friendly drone and fireworks show quickly became a logistical workout for dispatchers and first responders as the massive crowd spilled onto surrounding streets.
According to the Elk Grove Police Department, dispatchers fielded nearly 400 calls between 6 p.m. and midnight, including 116 calls to 911 and 273 non-emergency reports, while patrol officers handled incidents across the city. Enforcement teams documented 37 fireworks violations and the city issued about $239,000 in citations. Drone-as-First-Responder units launched 48 flights that together logged roughly 692 minutes in the air to help spot issues and guide officers on the ground, the department said.
Families, Fireworks And A 200-Drone Sky Show
The Salute to the Red, White and Blue is Elk Grove’s long-running Fourth of July tradition, and this year’s version came with a 200-drone light show followed by fireworks over Elk Grove Regional Park. Gates opened early, and the city put parking fees and shuttle service in place to handle the influx of visitors. Those details, along with the park address at 9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road, were outlined by the Sacramento Bee.
Drones Get There First
Elk Grove’s Drone-as-First-Responder program is designed to send drones directly to the coordinates of 911 calls so officers and dispatchers can see what is happening before patrol units arrive. The department’s public flight dashboard lists fireworks disturbances among the top call types, and credits the platform with helping cut response times and clear some calls without sending patrol units, according to the Elk Grove PD Flight Dashboard.
Stiff Fireworks Fines Back Up New Rules
The city’s steep fines are part of a 2024 push to crack down on illegal fireworks, and drones have been folded into the holiday enforcement strategy. KCRA previously reported that Elk Grove issued six-figure fines tied to illegal fireworks during earlier Fourth of July enforcement efforts, including at least one homeowner who faced more than $100,000 in penalties. City officials say the goal is to discourage dangerous fireworks and cut down on injuries and property damage.
How Residents Can Report Illegal Fireworks
Under Elk Grove’s municipal code, each dangerous firework can bring a $1,000 administrative fine, and the ordinance includes host-liability rules, as explained on the city’s code enforcement page. Residents are asked to report illegal fireworks to the Elk Grove Police non-emergency line or review the city’s guidance on reporting, appeals and amnesty options, which is available from the City of Elk Grove.
Police say most people celebrated responsibly, even as a smaller group drew enforcement attention. The department thanked the public for its patience during a very busy night and encouraged anyone with video or tips about illegal fireworks to contact investigators so they can follow up.
