July 4th, 2018, was a busy night for the Gilroy Police Department. GPD deployed 12 additional officers who were dedicated to enforcing fireworks violations. Most of these officers patrolled in undercover vehicles. As a result, officers issued numerous citations and confiscated several illegal fireworks.
This year, officers utilized the FOREalert app, which was downloaded by almost 400 people citywide to report illegal fireworks. Officers were able to immediately receive fireworks reports on their tablet computers from people using the app. This shortened our response times and alleviated some calls that would have normally been handled by our dispatchers.
July 4th Calls for Service:
- Officers responded to 410 calls for service. 176 of those calls were fireworks related.
- Between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., our dispatch center received 309 calls for service. 175 of these calls were fireworks related.
- 438 reports of illegal fireworks were made by citizens using the FOREalert app during the time it was active (6:00 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.)
July 4th Enforcement:
- 18 criminal citations were issued for fireworks violations. This was an increase in comparison to 2017, when a total of 8 criminal citations were issued.
- 44 administrative citations were issued for fireworks violations. This was a substantial increase in comparison to 2017, when only 3 administrative citations were issued.
Cases of Interest:
- 18-3619: While on patrol, officers contacted two subjects who were involved in a verbal argument near the intersection of Monterey Road and Ervin Court. One of the involved subjects, Michael Perez (41), gave police a false name then fled on foot. He was captured a short distance later and arrested. He was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and .45 caliber ammunition. A search of his nearby vehicle revealed a loaded .45 caliber handgun in the passenger compartment, illegal fireworks, and drug paraphernalia. Mr. Perez also had numerous warrants for his arrest. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail.
The Gilroy Police Department asks the public to call the non-emergency line at (408) 846-0350 or 911 for emergencies in relation to any further fireworks reports
