Additional Police Patrol Gilroy July 4

Gilroy Police will be deploying additional units July 4 to help crack down on the use of fireworks beyond items available for sale in the city, according to Gilroy Police spokesman Chad Gallacinao.

Twelve police units and two fire investigators will be patrolling the city to enforce common issues related to the holiday, including the use of illegal fireworks, DUI and traffic problems, he said. 

A six percent tax on fireworks sold at any of will pay for the additional staffing.

A misdemeanor citation for firing off illegal fireworks can result in a year of jail time and/or a $1,000 fine. A lesser “administrative citation” won’t show up on a criminal record, but it will net a $250 fine.

Adults are the most common violators, said the spokesman, and a typical July 4 in Gilroy will entail approximately 20 administrative citations and 10 misdemeanor citations.

All fireworks sold within the city are legal, though, and those who choose to celebrate in the county’s only firework-friendly city can set off fireworks until midnight.

Authorities ask that residents consider the and children during the celebration.

"We want everybody to enjoy their Fourth of July, but we want people to be responsible," said Gallacinao.

For those who don’t want to keep up with the rules, there’s always the no-stress solution: the annual city fireworks show at at 9:30 p.m. Approximately 400 fireworks will light up the sky during the 20-minute program.