Bright, booming and unscheduled, firework displays off Malibu’s shores have raised the ire of residents this year.
At last week’s Public Safety Commission meeting, commissioners took the opportunity to voice their concerns over the firework permitting process that has allowed these shows to go on. But complaints seemed to fall on deaf ears, as a rep for the LA County Fire Department quickly tried to quash the discussion.
On July 9, residents complained that a 10 p.m. show off of the beach at Nobu Restaurant was not publicized and caught them off guard. Then in September, a display off Paradise Cove began an hour before it was scheduled to begin, again catching nearby residents unprepared.
Several residents have come to City Council meetings in the past weeks to complain about the fireworks, only to hear that the permits go through the LA County Fire Department, not the city.
In addition, residents have written letters about the noise injuring or frightening their pets.
“We are getting somewhat close to weekly now for these events,” the Diane Leverett Kieffer family wrote in a letter to The Malibu Times, on behalf of themselves and their whippet, Alfie. “Please have some sensitivity regarding this issue for Point Dume residents and critters,” the letter read.
The previous week, a letter was sent to the Times on behalf of Fred Laetz, Hans Laetz’s dog, which asked, “Why are the humans at City Hall allowing my fellow nonhuman Americans and me to be scared out of our wits?”
Wednesday’s Public Safety Commission meeting featured an Annual Service Review, during which representatives from the LA Sheriffs, Fire Department and Lifeguards convened to give reports about progress and shortcomings in the past year.
Representing the LA County Fire Department was Community Services Representative for Malibu Maria Grycan, who did not bring up fireworks in her presentation.
“The concern that people have is … for children and animals,” Commissioner Marlene Matlow said to Grycan during the questions portion, adding, “on the Fourth of July, OK, sure, people are prepared for that, [but] there are so many and not everybody knows about it.”
Grycan responded that the department is aware of the complaints, but refused to go into detail.
“I’m not going to go through the entire permitting process right now,” Grycan began, “we are aware of the issue; we are scheduling a meeting with the City Manager (Jim Thorsen) to discuss that.”
Matlow countered that she would like to see a subcommittee formed to have a say in the issue, an idea Grycan immediately shot down.
“I’m not sure that that’s appropriate,” Grycan said, adding, “What you have to understand is, at the end of the day, the City of Malibu has no jurisdiction over the firework shows that happen a mile out in the ocean. None.”
For safety reasons, fireworks must be lit from barges at least a mile from shore, according to Grycan. In response to complaints that the recent display off Paradise Cove appeared closer to shore than the one-mile limit, she said, “it was at least a mile offshore, because the pyrotechnicians would not endanger their licenses.”
When pressed by Commissioner David Saul, she said she would look into it further.
The jurisdiction for granting permits goes through the fire department. Where the fire department does not have jurisdiction, according to Grycan, is with the number of displays annually.
“It’s the State of California, the State Fire Marshall,” Grycan said.
In regards to the issue with pets, Commissioners were not happy with Grycan’s responses.
“Maria, do you understand the impact on the animals?” Commissioner Carol Randall asked.
“Yes, I do,” Grycan responded, stating that there would be a way to “balance the needs of everybody.”
Finally, Grycan attempted to end the discussion.
“It’s inappropriate to discuss this publicly here before we’ve had the opportunity to discuss it with the City Manager,” Grycan said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, when The Malibu Times goes to press, Fire officials and City Staff have not had their meeting, according to Grycan.
“The meeting has not yet taken place,” Grycan said in an email.
Jim Thorsen stated that the meeting, which was called at his request, is scheduled for later this week.
“I just called and asked them if they’d be willing to sit down and talk about what … may be our best route to get some control over fireworks in the city,” Thorsen said.