This afternoon, Officer Savage was on patrol in her beat when she observed a large amount of smoke coming from the area of Barnard St. and Kadota St. Upon arrival, she observed a grass fire in the field southeast of Barnard St. and Kadota St.
The Ventura County Fire Department was dispatched and quickly put out the fire before any structures were damaged. An alert Simi Valley resident observed three male juveniles running away just as the fire started. SVPD officers located the juveniles and they were positively identifed as the suspects. The juveniles were lighting off fireworks in the field area and started a grass fire. All three male juveniles, 17 yrs., 16 yrs., and 14 yrs. of age were arrested for misdemeanor arson and released to their parents.
The Simi Valley Police Department would like to remind residents that fireworks are dangerous AND illegal within the Simi Valley city limits and in the cities of Camarillo, Ventura, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Ojai, Port Hueneme, Oxnard and all unincorporated areas in Ventura County. The safest and most enjoyable way to celebrate July 4th is at a professional fireworks show.
The base fine for a fireworks infraction starts at $100, while misdemeanor base fines start at $2,500 for each violation. Depending on prior convictions, fines for misdemeanors can reach as high as approximately $10,000.
