Costa Mesa police seize 1,339 lbs of illegal fireworks, warn residents to stay safe
Along with social media announcements of the city's zero tolerance policy for explosives beyond those deemed 'safe and sane,' news of the bust comes an annual operational enhancement aimed at minimizing citations and fireworks-related calls for service during the holiday.
Costa Mesa Police Department spokeswoman Roxi Fyad confirmed the suspects involved in the busts — carried out by detectives with the Special Investigations Unit — were detained for attempting to sell illegal fireworks online to officers who posed as customers and met suspects at locations in town.
The detective work is part of a broader campaign to raise awareness and educate residents about the city's rules surrounding the purchase and detonation of fireworks, particularly for those living in certain 'hot spot' areas, where calls for service climb as Independence Day approaches.
Legal fireworks, available at city-approved stands, may be purchased from June 30 through July 4 and must be marked with a 'safe and sane' logo designated by the State Fire Marshal's office. However, they can only be discharged Wednesday through Friday, from 4 to 10 p.m. at a distance of at least 20 feet from viewers.
Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano teamed up with now retired Costa Mesa Police Chief Ron Lawrence in a video aired last week on social media to remind locals that possessing or setting off illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor, punishable by fines of up to $1,000 or even jail time, while selling such combustibles is a felony offense.
Both departments have increased staffing and patrols to keep an eye out for illegal activities and potential fire hazards, newly appointed CMPD Interim Chief Joyce LaPointe shared Wednesday.
'Every year, we hear from residents about how frustrated they are due to the use of illegal fireworks,' LaPointe wrote in an email. 'We understand that frustration; it is challenging to catch and cite those that use illegal fireworks. Despite the challenge, we stay focused on enforcement.'
Last year, the police department fielded 336 firework-related calls for service, 47 of which requested a police presence on scene. That figure is nearly half of the 668 calls placed in 2020, according to CMPD's 2024 Fourth of July Holiday Report.
Between July 4 and 5, 2024, police and fire teams responded to nine trash or dumpster fires, one brush fire, four tree fires, three still alarms and two fire alarms, issuing four citations and arresting four people for misdemeanor firework-related municipal code violations, the report indicates.
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Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
O.C. mayors, first responders to bring mayhem to fairgrounds during Motorhome Madness
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Hamilton Spectator
10 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Crown says Hamilton cop charged with sexual assault ‘vigorously pursued' relationship with colleague
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Nicol went on to suggest that Justice Jennifer Campitelli could take 'multiple routes' to find Turnbull guilty in the case. Earlier this year, the complainant — whose identity is protected by a publication ban — testified that she and Turnbull met on the job in late 2021, months after she was sworn into the service and still in her probationary period. Turnbull had been with the Hamilton Police Service for more than a decade at the time. The complainant said the two first spoke when she was sitting alone in the lunchroom. Turnbull said he couldn't find her on social media. He told her about his family and asked if she was in a relationship. She said he also talked about her being a female officer, and how there 'would be rumours' about her 'sleeping with other police officers' — conversations that left her feeling 'super uncomfortable.' The complainant said she gave Turnbull her Snapchat information and cellphone number. 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And later on, she alleged that Turnbull sexually assaulted her on a couch in the basement of his home — while his children were upstairs and his wife was away. Turnbull previously testified that he and the complainant had engaged in a months-long affair that began with texts and Snapchats about things like food, music and workouts, and later progressed to sexting and the exchange of nude photos. Turnbull later told the court that the affair came to an end in early April 2022, just days after they had consensual sex at his house while his wife was at a yoga retreat. But Nicol painted a much different picture in the courtroom on Tuesday, suggesting that Turnbull 'vigorously pursued' a relationship with the complainant, despite her trying to set boundaries and ask for space. Nicol also once again suggested that Turnbull was 'psychologically manipulative' when it came to his mental health, often using it to coerce the complainant . 'This case is about a more experienced and senior police officer who would not take no for an answer from a younger, very inexperienced female colleague despite her attempts to mollify him and repel his advances,' said Nicol. 'This was not a mutually agreeable relationship.' Nicol also spent parts of his closing submissions responding to those made by defence lawyer Joanne Mulcahy earlier in the trial. Mulcahy had previously suggested to the court that there were 'significant concerns' about the reliability of the complainant, pointing to inconsistencies and evasiveness in her testimony. Mulcahy noted that the complainant's testimony didn't match police records , she had issues remembering dates and that she had asked to see her previous statements and testimony while being questioned on the stand. Nicol argued that it was 'unfair and unrealistic' to think the complainant had memorized her prior statements and testimony, as well as conversations with Turnbull, which were also raised by Mulcahy throughout the trial. Nicol said that while the complainant 'did not have perfect recall and her evidence was not without flaws,' she had been 'consistent and clear' throughout the trial when it came to the allegations against Turnbull . 'It has always been clear that she never consented,' said Nicol. '(Turnbull) should be convicted as charged.' Mulcahy replied to those submissions, ending with a suggestion to the judge that it would 'not be safe to convict' her client based on the evidence. A verdict in the case is expected in early October. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . 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Hamilton Spectator
13 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Verdict in Hamilton police officer's sexual assault trial expected in October
A Crown attorney has asked a judge to find a Hamilton police officer guilty of sexually assaulting his younger colleague more than three years ago. Crown attorney Jason Nicol spent a handful of hours presenting his final submissions to the Burlington courtroom on Tuesday as the months-long trial for Const. Jeffrey Turnbull came to a close. Turnbull is accused of sexually assaulting a colleague in the basement of his Ancaster home in March 2022. The sexual assault charge was announced in June 2023 following a probe by the Special Investigations Unit. Turnbull has pleaded not guilty and remains suspended with pay. His trial began in early January and has sat sporadically ever since. Nicol noted that while Turnbull has been charged with just one count of sexual assault, the complainant alleged multiple incidents of inappropriate touching at the hands of her more senior colleague. Nicol went on to suggest that Justice Jennifer Campitelli could take 'multiple routes' to find Turnbull guilty in the case. Earlier this year, the complainant — whose identity is protected by a publication ban — testified that she and Turnbull met on the job in late 2021, months after she was sworn into the service and still in her probationary period. Turnbull had been with the Hamilton Police Service for more than a decade at the time. The complainant said the two first spoke when she was sitting alone in the lunchroom. Turnbull said he couldn't find her on social media. He told her about his family and asked if she was in a relationship. She said he also talked about her being a female officer, and how there 'would be rumours' about her 'sleeping with other police officers' — conversations that left her feeling 'super uncomfortable.' The complainant said she gave Turnbull her Snapchat information and cellphone number. The complainant said Turnbull would discuss his mental health and marriage, compliment her and make suggestive comments. She also said he sent her photos of his genitalia. An on-the-job spinal injury in January 2022 led the complainant to be put on alternative duties in a separate office. That's where she alleges several incidents involving Turnbull took place in February and March 2022, including partially unzipping her work pants, grabbing her buttocks and trying to kiss her. She said the situation escalated on March 26, 2022. She testified that Turnbull had asked her to come over, but she declined. Later that evening, the complainant said she started getting more messages from Turnbull, including ones about 'killing himself,' so she drove to his house in Ancaster. When the complainant got there, she said, she met his children. And later on, she alleged that Turnbull sexually assaulted her on a couch in the basement of his home — while his children were upstairs and his wife was away. Turnbull previously testified that he and the complainant had engaged in a months-long affair that began with texts and Snapchats about things like food, music and workouts, and later progressed to sexting and the exchange of nude photos. Turnbull later told the court that the affair came to an end in early April 2022, just days after they had consensual sex at his house while his wife was at a yoga retreat. But Nicol painted a much different picture in the courtroom on Tuesday, suggesting that Turnbull 'vigorously pursued' a relationship with the complainant, despite her trying to set boundaries and ask for space. Nicol also once again suggested that Turnbull was 'psychologically manipulative' when it came to his mental health, often using it to coerce the complainant . 'This case is about a more experienced and senior police officer who would not take no for an answer from a younger, very inexperienced female colleague despite her attempts to mollify him and repel his advances,' said Nicol. 'This was not a mutually agreeable relationship.' Nicol also spent parts of his closing submissions responding to those made by defence lawyer Joanne Mulcahy earlier in the trial. Mulcahy had previously suggested to the court that there were 'significant concerns' about the reliability of the complainant, pointing to inconsistencies and evasiveness in her testimony. Mulcahy noted that the complainant's testimony didn't match police records , she had issues remembering dates and that she had asked to see her previous statements and testimony while being questioned on the stand. Nicol argued that it was 'unfair and unrealistic' to think the complainant had memorized her prior statements and testimony, as well as conversations with Turnbull, which were also raised by Mulcahy throughout the trial. Nicol said that while the complainant 'did not have perfect recall and her evidence was not without flaws,' she had been 'consistent and clear' throughout the trial when it came to the allegations against Turnbull . 'It has always been clear that she never consented,' said Nicol. '(Turnbull) should be convicted as charged.' Mulcahy replied to those submissions, ending with a suggestion to the judge that it would 'not be safe to convict' her client based on the evidence. A verdict in the case is expected in early October. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
