San Jose police deployed aerial surveillance units on Saturday night to identify and intercept the use of illegal fireworks across the city. Drones launched from five fire stations patrolled the skies to locate the sources of unauthorized pyrotechnics. San Jose is located approximately 9 miles northeast of Saratoga.
San Jose Fire Department Fire Captain Sergio Arellano emphasized the dangers associated with these devices. He stated that residents face potential fines and risk their own safety or that of others by using such items. Arellano noted that reports of illegal fireworks had been ongoing for several days and anticipated the activity would intensify as the evening progressed.
To manage the situation, the San Jose Fire Department assigned 20 additional personnel to the area. These staff members were dispatched via radio command to respond rapidly to any incidents triggered by the unauthorized explosives.
In a separate event at Lake Cunningham Park, authorities focused on a legal alternative. A red, white, and blue drone show entertained thousands of spectators celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. This marked the second consecutive year the city selected a drone display instead of a traditional fireworks show.
City Councilmember Domingo Candelas explained that the drone presentation serves as a deterrent against illegal behavior. He noted that unauthorized fireworks had caused brush fires in the nearby area two years prior. Candelas observed that the city experienced a significant decrease in fireworks-related emergency calls last year and attributed this improvement to the shift toward drone technology.