In its ongoing effort to promote public safety, the Oxnard Police Department conducted an annual public safety campaign during the weeks leading up to and shortly after the Independence Day holiday. During this campaign, the Oxnard Police Department works in partnership with the City of Oxnard’s Fire Department and the City’s Code Compliance division to address illegal fireworks. Though fireworks activity occurs throughout the year, the vast majority of complaints are reported during the time period spanning from the Memorial Day weekend through a few days after the 4th of July.
Even without fireworks, the 4th of July is typically the busiest day of the year for the Oxnard Police Department. During the holiday, the Police Department enhances its deployment of officers and professional staff. This year, over 140 sworn officers and professional staff, including dispatchers, Traffic Service Assistants and Community Service Officers, worked on this holiday to handle the service call demand of this busy day, engage in traffic and crowd management functions at the annual Fireworks by the Sea celebration at the Channel Islands Harbor, all the while conducting citywide fireworks enforcement operations.
This year, approximately twenty thousand people attended the Fireworks by the Sea event at the Channel Islands Harbor. Staffing this area is a combined effort involving the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, County Harbor Patrol, United States Coast Guard, California Highway Patrol, as well as City and County Fire Departments. The event concluded safely, with no significant issues beyond an expected impact on vehicular traffic.
All fireworks are prohibited in the City of Oxnard. They are illegal to possess, sell, transport, or ignite. In 2018, the City of Oxnard established a fireworks “host liability” ordinance that holds property owners or their tenants responsible for fireworks activity connected with their property. This year, the maximum fines for violating fireworks ordinances were raised to $2,000.
Oxnard’s enforcement efforts included directed attention to areas that data identified as where fireworks activity was occurring or likely to occur. This data is based upon reported calls for service, as well as through an established hotline or email tip account. Through the coordinated efforts of the Oxnard Police Department, in partnership with the Oxnard Fire Department and the City’s Code Compliance Division, 102 citations were issued for illegal fireworks violations. Dozens of these violations were identified by drones from the Police Department’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit. In addition, the Oxnard Fire Department used aircraft to identify additional illegal fireworks activity. Property owners identified through these investigations will receive citations, with fines of up to $2,000.
The dangers associated with illegal fireworks were evident even before the 4th of July. The Fire Department responded to a structure fire caused by fireworks. Additionally, they responded to a call of a person injured by fireworks during the holiday. On June 22, 2026, officers assisted the Oxnard Fire Department and emergency medical personnel with an injured juvenile near Wilson Park. This 14-year-old was with friends igniting illegal fireworks when one exploded in their hand, causing significant injuries.
This year’s Fourth of July holiday generated a significant increase in calls for service to the Oxnard Police Department’s emergency communications center. During the 4th of July, calls to the Oxnard Police Department’s Dispatch Center generated 715 calls for service. This compares to 653 calls on the 4th of July in 2025. To provide broader context, the Oxnard Police Department handled a daily average of 250 calls for service in 2025.
The majority of the calls for service on July 4th, numbering 393, were generated in a surge period between 8:00 p.m. and midnight. Of the 393, 271 were specifically attributed to illegal fireworks during this four hour period. Despite the significant increase in demand, officers remained committed to responding to emergencies while proactively addressing fireworks violations throughout the city.
During the fireworks enforcement campaign, arrests were also made. On June 21, officers responded to intoxicated persons lighting fireworks on the 500 block of West Vineyard Avenue. During the encounter, a 34-year old male was arrested for resisting/delaying officers.
On July 4th, officers from the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) were conducting directed enforcement in the 1000 block of Isleton Place. They contacted a group of subjects who were consuming alcohol in public. During the contact, one of the subjects was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun and was arrested. During the arrest, SEU officers also located a substantial amount of illegal fireworks, which were confiscated. The individual arrested for the firearm was also issued a $2,000 citation for the fireworks.
Also, on the 4th of July, the Oxnard Police Department had a total of six (6) arrests for motorists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Chief Jason Benites stated: “The safety of our community remains our highest priority. Illegal fireworks create unnecessary risks of fires, cause both serious injuries and property damage, while placing an extraordinary burden on police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. This is in addition to the negative effects that fireworks have on portions of our population, including pets, as well as those with medical conditions. We appreciate the many residents who choose to celebrate responsibly.”
Although the Fourth of July holiday has concluded, the Oxnard Police Department’s zero tolerance enforcement of illegal fireworks will continue. Residents are reminded that possessing, selling, transporting, or discharging illegal fireworks remains unlawful year-round, and enforcement actions will continue whenever violations are observed.
Community members play an important role in helping keep Oxnard safe. Residents are encouraged to report illegal fireworks activity using any of the following methods:
• Fireworks Cellphone Line: (805) 307-6308
A dedicated phone line staffed by a Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT) officer during enforcement operations. Residents are encouraged to provide specific addresses, descriptions, and the times illegal fireworks are occurring.
• Fireworks Email Tip Line: Fireworks@oxnardpd.org
Submit detailed information regarding locations, dates, times, photos, or videos that may assist investigators.
• Anonymous Fireworks Hotline: (805) 394-5884
Callers may remain anonymous when reporting illegal fireworks activity.
• Oxnard Police Department Non-Emergency Dispatch: (805) 385-7740
Use this number to report fireworks activity in progress. Please note that calls are prioritized based on the nature and severity of all incidents occurring throughout the city.
Assistant Police Chief Edgar Fernandez stated, “The Oxnard Police Department remains committed to protecting the community through proactive enforcement, strong partnerships, and the continued support of our residents. Together, we can improve the quality of life, reduce the dangers posed by illegal fireworks, and ensure a safer Oxnard for everyone.”