With the Fourth of July holiday weekend unfolding, local law enforcement agencies are eagerly issuing two safety warnings: leave the fireworks to the pros and don’t drink and drive.
From Friday through Monday, law enforcement agencies across Santa Clara County plan to participate in an “Avoid the 13 DUI Taskforce” and aggressively target impaired drivers. Expect DUI saturation patrols on local streets and ramped up California Highway Patrol presence on highways.
A DUI conviction can cost as much as $45,000, according to the California DMV.
A Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office media advisory indicates roving DUI saturation patrols will target Los Altos, Morgan Hill, Santa Clara and unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County on Friday. On Saturday, they’ll focus on Los Altos, Morgan Hill and Mountain View, and have scheduled a checkpoint 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday in Cupertino. On Sunday, law enforcement will target unincorporated parts of the county. Monday heralds a “maximum enforcement period” with heavy agency staffing levels across the county.
Fireworks injuries are also expensive, police warn. Every year, U.S. emergency rooms treat an estimated 10,000 people for fireworks-related injuries, causing $100 million in medical-related expenses, according to the police department.
There are several options for viewing professional fireworks displays scheduled Monday throughout the Bay Area. They include:
• Mountain View: San Francisco Symphony with Fireworks, 8 p.m. at Shoreline Ampitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy. Tickets start at $15.
More information: www.mountainviewamphitheater.com
• San Francisco: Fourth of July Celebration at Pier 39 on Fisherman’s Wharf. The free event features special exhibits west of the Pier 39 plaza entrance from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., a performance by Soft Cell cover band Tainted Love 5-8 p.m. at the plaza entrance and the city fireworks display (launched from barges located off Pier 39) at 9:30 p.m. More information: www.pier39.com
• San Jose: Symphony Silicon Valley and Rotary Fireworks Show at Discovery Meadow, 180 Woz Way. The free event begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday with summer pops music followed by a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. More information: www.rotaryfireworks.org
• San Jose: July 4th Fun Festival at Almaden Lake Park, 15652 Almaden Expressway. The free event runs 2-10 p.m. and features community and vendor booths, live music, kids’ games, a parade, food trucks and a fireworks display. More information: www.sanjoseca.gov
• Santa Clara: 4th of July All-City Picnic and Fireworks at Central Park, 909 Kiely Boulevard, noon to 10 p.m. Activities include free swimming at the International Swim Center, kids’ carnival games and crafts, live bands, food trucks and a “Fireworks Extravaganza” at 9:30 p.m. More information: santaclaraca.gov
