Full Notification

Illegal use of fireworks and celebratory gunfire are two major
complaints received by the Oakland Police Department at this time of year.
Ushering in the New Year is a joyous tradition. We want you to celebrate safely.

Celebratory gun fire and the use of fireworks are illegal and extremely dangerous.

Setting off fireworks and shooting guns pose a great risk for injury and even death and as such, they have no place in our City.

Celebratory Gunfire
As a part of our commitment to public safety, quality of life and vitality in our communities, the Police Department is focused on stopping illegal gun use. On New Year’s Eve, we will be deploying patrol officers to specific areas of the City that have the highest amount of gunshot and firework activity as indicated by ShotSpotter activation.

Illegal Use of Fireworks
The Oakland Municipal Code makes ALL fireworks illegal. Violators who are sixteen years or older may be cited and face fines of $1,000. Also, the ordinance states that “every parent, guardian, or other person, having legal care, custody or control of any person under the age of eighteen years, who knows or reasonably should have known that a minor is in violation of this ordinance, may be issued a citation.”
The law can be viewed in its entirety at
http://municipalcodes.lexisnexis.com/codes/Oakland/. In brief, sale, transfer, possession or use of fireworks is prohibited. Specifically, the law makes each of the following activities a criminal offense:
1. Selling, or advertising for sale, any firework or pyrotechnical device.
2. Transferring any firework or pyrotechnical device to another.
3. Possessing any firework or pyrotechnical device.
4. Using or causing any firework or pyrotechnical device to be detonated.
You Can Help Residents are encouraged help us:
• Report the illegal use of fireworks by calling our Fireworks Hot Line:
(510) 238-2373.
• Report celebratory gunfire by calling 911 (by cell phone, 510-777-3211).

You can also turn in illegal fireworks at the following six Oakland Fire Stations:
1. Station 1: 1603 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
2. Station 3: 1445 14th Street
3. Station 4: 1235 International Boulevard
4. Station 5: 934 34th Street
5. Station 18: 1700 50th Avenue
6. Station 20: 1401 98th Avenue
View the Public Service Announcement by the Oakland Police Department and the Oakland Fire Department on our web site at www.oaklandpolice.com.

Nixle Tip Watch allows tipsters to send OPD a tip three ways:
1. Text TIP OAKLANDPD to 888777 from your cell phone
2. Call our toll-free tip hotline at 855-TIPS-247 (855-847-7247)
3. Respond to OPD's Nixle messages

For more information, please contact the Media Relations Office at 510-238-7230 or [email protected]. or Visit Nixle.com to receive Oakland Police Department alerts, advisories and community messages, or follow OPD on Twitter, @oaklandpoliceca.