In one example of the danger and rampant use of illegal fireworks in Hollister on Independence Day, Hollister Police officers on Monday responded around 11 p.m. to the 1700 Block of Jacaranda Circle for a fireworks complaint. The use of illegal pyrotechnics will lead to more than 100 citations to residents throughout the city, according to Mayor Ignacio Velazquez.
According to police, the fireworks had shot into a neighbor’s garage, striking and nearly injuring a mother and her 1-year-old child.
From the HPD press release:
Officers had been dispatched to the 1700 block of Jacaranda Circle to meet with a victim in an illegal fireworks incident. Officers were advised that illegal aerial fireworks were being shot off at the residence of Jesus Diaz, 48, of Hollister. One of the fireworks had shot into the victim’s garage where she was sitting and holding her 1-year-old child. When the firework struck them, it burned the child’s beanie hat and the mother’s pants. Officers issued a citation to Diaz for allowing illegal aerial fireworks on his property. Mother and child were not injured in the incident.
Once Diaz had been cited, his adult son, Ulyses Diaz, 18, of Hollister, confessed to setting off the firework that struck and nearly injured the mother and child. He alleged it was a “Safe and Sane” firework that he accidently shot into the neighbor’s garage when it fell over.
Charges of child endangerment against Ulyses Diaz have been referred to the San Benito District Attorney for complaint and review.
The Hollister Police Department reminds residents that use of illegal fireworks can lead to a citation with fines starting at $1000.
Anyone with information on activity like this is asked to call the Hollister Police Department. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME. Calls to WeTip can lead to rewards of up to $1,000.
On Facebook July 6, Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez thanked everyone who used the MYPD app to report the use of illegal fireworks.
“Over 100 citations for $1,000 each will be going out to all the addresses that were reported by all of you,” he posted. “The Hollister Fire Department confiscated illegal fireworks at many residences who will also be receiving citations for $1,000. We appreciate everyone’s help in ridding our community of illegal fireworks. I’m looking forward to using the new app that we are currently testing to make it even easier to report illegal fireworks. Thanks again for everyone’s help.”