CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It is against the law to set off fireworks within the Corpus Christi city limits. However, especially on New Year’s Eve, many will likely ignore that law and set off fireworks.
A video from New Year’s Eve 2019 shows fireworks lighting up the Corpus Christi night sky.
City officials are aware that people are likely to set off fireworks, and CCPD will have patrols out Thursday night.
“We’ll have extra forces out there on New Year’s Eve night, to try to enforce, to the best of our ability, that local law, which is fireworks are illegal within city limits,” said city manager Peter Zanoni.
However, the police department cannot enforce every instance of illegal fireworks, as there are only so many officers who can patrol the streets.
“The issue is, we’re outnumbered. Across the city with over 350,000 people, and we only have a couple hundred police officers on duty on a particular shift, we’re just outnumbered. So, that’s why we’re asking residents to do their part, it’s about safety. We don’t want fireworks to cause property damage, house fires, bodily injury. So, we’re asking our residents to keep safety in mind, make that the number one priority,” Zanoni said.
Some city residents were out purchasing fireworks, but will set those fireworks off outside the city limits.
“I’m going to shoot them off out in the county out here. I’ve got friends who own some ranches, and we’ll be doing it there,” said one resident, who wished to be known just as “Billy.” “Pop the fireworks out in the country, try not to go near anybody’s houses, and just be safe.”
Teresa Acuna will also be setting off fireworks outside city limits, but her family stays small with their display.
“Usually we just get some sparklers and some little pop ones, and let the kids do the sparklers. I don’t like the big things, it’s kind of scary,” she said.
Another thing Acuna is worried about is how dry the area is currently, and how fireworks can start a fire.
“Right now the grass is real dry, the big ones go off, and any kind of spark can set off a fire. It kind of scares me, I don’t want anything to happen to anybody I love,” she said.
A citation in the city can come with a fine of up to $2,000. Billy said that alone is enough of a deterrent to keep him from shooting off fireworks in the city.
“It’s not worth it, you’re going to get charged $2,000 for each firework you set off, or they catch you with. Just for one day of fun? Just watch everybody else do it, and just stay out of trouble,” he said.
The City of Corpus Christi will be hosting a firework display on Thursday night at 7 p.m. for residents to enjoy.
