Santa Maria residents have been hearing fireworks for the past three weeks.
Police said calls from concerned residents have been happening every day, and with the Fourth of July being this weekend, they expect the number of calls to rise.
Illegal fireworks have been keeping residents up at night.
"Oh yeah, if it's loud enough those big bang ones, they'll wake us up,” said Omar Long.
This results in people constantly calling the police with concerns.
"On a daily basis, we get about 10 to 15 calls right now regarding illegal fireworks,” said Sgt. Eligio Lara with the Santa Maria Police Department.
"On the Fourth of July, we can climb to about 500-600 calls," Lara said.
Just this Monday, Santa Maria PD tweeted a photo of illegal fireworks that were seized.
SMPD firework detail was out tonight and seized these illegal fireworks. So far, two citations have been issued. Based on the number of community complaints, more citations are likely. Let’s all work together and keep this holiday safe and free from illegal fireworks! pic.twitter.com/nwXngoFSN9
— City of Santa Maria Police Department (@SMPDHQ) June 30, 2020
"This year, there have been about five citations, and in one of those cases we confiscated approximately about 25 boxes of fireworks,” Lara said.
Residents said those loud booms can be unsettling.
"We open our windows to get a little bit of air and then it sounds like it's right outside the house. If you're not expecting it, it's really disturbing,” Long said.
Santa Maria PD wants to encourage residents to celebrate by doing something else.
"Displaying the American flag. Display the American flag at home, display it on your vehicles, on your lawn, whatever you want to do,” Lara said.
He says to just avoid setting off those illegal fireworks.
"And again, there are legal fireworks that they can buy in the booth here in Santa Maria where they can light them on the Fourth of July and celebrate,” he said.
Officials said they will continue to have a special task force out on the streets for the rest of the week.
They also hope to see people lighting up only safe and sane fireworks this weekend
