Tomorrow, the Dixon Police Department will deploy its Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), commonly known as a drone, as part of its Fourth of July fireworks enforcement.

The drone team's primary focus is identifying the people and residences using illegal fireworks and promptly directing patrol officers to respond, confiscate fireworks, and issue citations. Under the City's updated fireworks ordinance, each violation carries a $1,000 fine, and each firework set off in violation is a separate violation.

Property owners and hosts are also responsible. If illegal fireworks are used on property you own or control, or a party or gathering you’re responsible for, you can be cited under the City's social host ordinance even if you did not light them yourself.

The drone records and documents every violation it observes. If officers are unable to respond to a location during the busiest hours, the documented violation will be recorded, and the responsible party will receive a citation the following week. Even if officers don’t catch you that night, you may still receive a $1,000 citation.

The Fourth of July is the busiest day of the year for our officers. In addition to the fireworks detail, on-duty staff will respond to calls for service across the city, including collisions, driving under the influence, domestic violence, and mental health crises. The Department will also provide public safety for the City's Independence Day fireworks display at Hall Park. We ask for your patience. We may not be able to respond to every fireworks call right away, and calls are prioritized by the threat to life and safety.

Please celebrate responsibly. To report illegal fireworks, call the non-emergency line at 707-678-7080. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.