OPINION
A screengrab from a video at the Rose Bowl, July 4, 2024, shows fireworks in the stands (Photo – Caballero)
I would like to share with you my experience on July 4, 2024 in Pasadena, which has a ZERO tolerance for fireworks. This personal experience concerns me and should concern many.
By Victor Caballero
As my wife and I drove from our house toward the Rose Bowl on the evening of July 4 for the LA Galaxy vs. LAFC soccer game, we encountered fireworks going off in all directions, in parks and in neighborhoods.
As we entered the Rose Bowl area outside the stadium, we encountered more fireworks in the parking areas directly in front of police and security. Nothing was being done to stop this. Several exploded in front of us and directly overhead.
Things got worse when we stepped inside the stadium. We saw fireworks being set off in the stands. Yes, in the stands!!!! Many times! Police and security stood by taking no action.
Fireworks in the stands
I encourage everyone to watch this video as evidence of the severity:
All this made it impossible to enjoy the soccer game.
The fireworks show at the end was mediocre at best, and the bright lights in the stadium made viewing the fireworks from inside the stadium even less desirable. Most people left the stadium to watch from somewhere else.
A war zone
Leaving the stadium was like entering a war zone. Fireworks were going off everywhere–exploding in front of us and flying from every direction. Truly dangerous! Driving home, we saw fireworks at the parks and all around the neighborhoods.
Pasadena needs to step up and “really” ban fireworks at the Rose Bowl and do a drone show.
See something, say something, do nothing
In terms of the illegal fireworks enforcement, saying “failure” is being kind. What good is a zero tolerance if police stand by while fireworks are being lit in front of them?
The Shotspotter system on which the city spent and spends hundreds of thousands of dollars seems to be underutilized. It should be able to assist with at least reporting the incidents. But most important is having officers enforce the law.
When we hear over and over, “see something, say something,” and then disappointingly get a “do nothing” response from the city, the result is that people will give up and then say nothing.
Then when asked about community policing or other engagement with public safety we hear… nobody says anything!
Victor Caballero is a lifelong resident of the San Gabriel Valley and lives in northwest Pasadena.
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Pasadena’s firework situation is a total embarassment. I go to other cities in the Southland and can hear a pin drop. I talk to family and friends across the nation and ask if they had a quiet Fourth. The response is, “of course, fireworks are illegal.” They are flabbergasted at the fireworks they hear in background over the phone. This years was one of the worst as I am concerned about the sulfur that was released as it is easily detected inside our home. How is this impacting the air we breath and our health overall? I have lived here for 25 years and the fireworks situation has not improved. It’s obvious Pasadena does not know what to do. Perhaps the city needs to swallow its pride and find out what other cities are doing to enforce the ban on fireworks. Like so many other things in Pasadena, people know they what can get away with. Fireworks are no different. You can get away with shooting fireworks in Pasadena and they do.
Thank you for writing this! I live in Pasadena & I start dreading the fireworks in May or June, because that’s when people start setting them off. I have, when I could, “said something”, but the closer to July 4 we get it’s impossible because EVERYONE is setting them off. The absolute worst are the M80s that sound like cannons. I am horrified by your description of people setting them off in front of police & security AT THE ROSE BOWL.