Comments groupings_2025 2026 comparison.xlsx

	A	B
1	Comments 2026	Comments 2025

2	Positive Effect	Positive Effect
3	I think things were much calmer this year, and would encourage continued enforcement.	Thank you for the survey!
4	It was our 250th so I anticipated a disaster. However, I was shocked that the typical week before and week after the 4th were almost completely silent. A huge win by SIF! Yes, the 4th was typically crazy, but one day of illegal fireworks is a huge win compared to two weeks of noise, smoke and danger. Well done SIF and City of Richmond. I saw signs all over the place and the fire departments really came through.	I thought there was a slightly discernible difference in the duration of the fireworks disturbance over the weeks surrounding July 3-5. I don't think that was simply my being o used to what these times have been like in the past. So...some improvement, in my mind.
5	Thank you for your work on this issue.
6	Better than previous years.
7	Big improvement compared to the last 2 years!	Thank you to everyone for all the amazing work you all did this year to help make our city much less noisy than in previous years! It is greatly appreciated.
8	I think there was improvement this year!	This year it felt like there was a significant reduction in fire work activity in the weeks before July 4th. Thanks for the efforts.
9	There were only minor disturbances this year. Notices were everywhere! Good job.	It"s still terrible, but I think it was substantially better than it has been in the past few years I have point Richmond where everything echoes in his amplified, and the tunnel and, as well as Keller Beach are popular target locations for these irresponsible buffoons
10	Thank you for your hard work on this important issue. Let's renew the pressure on the city to go with drone fireworks next year!	I so appreciate the efforts to reduce illegal fireworks this year! I was SIGNIFICANTLY more peaceful this year. Thank you!
11	Thank you for your hard work.	While I support the general aims of the campaign against illegal fireworks, it wasn'tclear to me that it made a material difference in fireworks usage. Still, I applaud you and others for working on it.
12	So glad the enforcement is making it safer & quieter.
13	Thank you for your work on illegal fireworks!
14	Overall much much better this year in June and July 2026 compared to past years!
15	Culture	Culture
16	I want to maintain good relationships with my neighbors. It would help if the city would enforce stopping the fireworks so that it weren’t the responsibility of citizens to bring it up with neighbors. Someone shot off a firework that fell over and went into our yard. I was deeply concerned about a fire or harm to the people and property on our street. Please enforce stopping these fireworks!!!	I personally engaged a group who came into our Yuba neighborhood and fired-off substantial explosives. At first I was just walking to see where things were going off but I emerged amidst the event, face-to-face and somewhat over my head. I let them know of the neighborhood concerns and the fines that had been put in place. I was never threatened. They left, heading north on Amador.
17	Personal experience, I have neighbors who call on friends and family to come over and gather to set fireworks in our niehgborhood, and I image a trend in Richmmond. They can get away with it. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT, they have people on the corners of the streets on the perimiter of the area watching out for police activity.	Richmond Police Department makes a lot of fake promises but this department is very dysfunctional and did nothing about the fireworks incidents that I reported. The operators were also very rude and unprofessional
18	I have lived all over the Bay Area....NEVER as bad as in Richmond. The weeks leading up to the 4th. The size of the explosions (and they are explosives). The utter disregard for RPD and the law against shooting them off. The worst: Large groups with that pack mentality preening in the streets. These are not young kids with a sparkler....these are adults who are daring the City to do anything, which of course only emboldens them. The City Council should be ashamed, but of course we know that song.
19	This has gone on for years, all year long, and nothing has ever been done.
20	Cannot stop idiotic behavior.
21	1. Since the police need to catch the person setting off fireworks, having to wait so long for the recording to finish takes too much time. Can’t there be an option to press 1 to report illegal fireworks 2. If you have footage of people setting off fireworks there is no option to submit it 3. If people are illegally blocking off street knowing the police are too under staffed to ticket then and have to instead do crowd control, it is like they planned ahead knowing now to out smart the system to get away with it.
22	Negative Effects	Negative Effects
23	There were many more fireworks than usual in close proximity to my neighborhood, especially on Broadway. Not pleasant.	Both my vehicle and house were damaged by fireworks explosions (scratched car and burn marks in side of house.
24	Before the holiday there were M80s detonating everyday and night multiple times a day. Sadly, this terrified my neighbor/friends dog and he escaped from their home. My friend looked for him for 2 hours. She could not find him and tragically had a heart attack 2 hours later. This has devastated her family. I can't help but feel that the fireworks precipitated this tragedy. This family has paid an enormous price so that a minority of people can set off illegal fireworks.	The horrendous blasts haven't stop and they are coming from different locations, Friday and Saturday's nights, and we are already in AUGUST! I really would like to know if those ignorant individuals, have ever served in our Military branches, and/or f they know about the traumas of our Veterans, including K9, and people with autism,anxiety, and other emotional issues, what about the damage to our Wildlife and thepollution to our ecosystems! They have zero respect for others and the worst they are teaching their kids to be like them!
25	En 2024 y 2025 mis dias de Junio y Julio fueron tranquilos. En 2026 mucho ruido , tengo 2 niños autistas. La pasamos mal (In 2024 and 2025 my days in June and July were peaceful. In 2026 there was a lot of noise. I have two autistic children. It was awful for us for hours.	I have point Richmond where everything echoes in his amplified, and the tunnel and, as well as Keller Beach are popular target locations for these irresponsible buffoons
26	Personally, I'd prefer a Drone Display instead of Fireworks on Marina Bay. Living on Marina Bay and experiencing the July 3rd event for the first time, all I can say is why does anyone want to live in a war zone. There was nothing special about the show. Just un-choreographed bangs. Has anyone evaluated the associated costs of Fireworks vs Drones? The costs of the event vs the costs for City clean-up, 911 calls, frightened pets and the effects on mental illness?	I had bottle rockets in my backyard behind the YMCA Southside!
27	In addition to the noise and fire danger, plastic shotgun shell casings litter the beaches.
28	I helped by putting out more signs, there really hasn't been enough of a media campaign for this, and definitely not enough signs out across Richmond. If the police department doesn't have enough staff to get out there and actually hold people accountable they will just keep doing it. The reported number of citations was absolutely not enough considering the promise that was made to be on top of it. I am aware of the huge parties that were a problem that took a lot of attention, but the City Council needs to allow the department to hire more officers! We usually call it in, but it always seems like a frustrating waste of time. Especially when we can tell them exactly who is doing it and nothing happens. It's almost always the same people. I have been collecting addresses as well. You can also drive around the neighborhood the next day and see who has been setting off fireworks by the debris surrounding their houses.
29	This year was extra loud and scary fireworks going off around 35th/36th and Esmond street. I don't know if they are new renters/homeowners in a house that constantly is loud with lots of people going in and out, but the sparks flew into my yard from the wind and its super scary and disrespectful. Several neighbors ended up calling dispatch, including myself. They seemed to finally stop so maybe police talked to them.
30	The fireworks didn't start until late June instead of early May. We still have someone that sets off fireworks around 10pm almost every night since the 4th of July. We really do need signs (in some neighborhoods) all year round. New Year will be here before you know it!
31	Signage & Solutions	Signage & Solutions
32	Hire more police!!!	I put a sign up in my yard. I think all the efforts improved the issue overall!
33	They need to offer rewards to the people for reporting fireworks when fines are given to the person setting off fireworks. Offer $300. This might encourage people to report.	Signs are useless without sufficient enforcement and a city council majority that believes education alone will solve the problem.
34	I helped by putting out more signs, there really hasn't been enough of a media campaign for this, and definitely not enough signs out across Richmond. If the police department doesn't have enough staff to get out there and actually hold people accountable they will just keep doing it. The reported number of citations was absolutely not enough considering the promise that was made to be on top of it. I am aware of the huge parties that were a problem that took a lot of attention, but the City Council needs to allow the department to hire more officers! We usually call it in, but it always seems like a frustrating waste of time. Especially when we can tell them exactly who is doing it and nothing happens. It's almost always the same people. I have been collecting addresses as well. You can also drive around the neighborhood the next day and see who has been setting off fireworks by the debris surrounding their houses.	I am in El Sobrante with parts of Richmond street a block away. I got signs from Richmond City Hall and posted around the neighborhood. on July 4 when I called Richmond number, theyreferred me to the county who answered and said they would come. I had an exact address where huge fireworks were being set off but never saw the Sherrif come. I have a question. Did Richmond Police go undercover and issue citations the following days?
35	The signs and raised penalities were a complete waste of time and money and effort. There is no point in doing anything because you have no ability to enforce this situation.	I only saw 1sign in the annex after the 4th I don’t believe signs worked, the people blowing stuff up don’t care because the likelihood of getting caught is nil Our council person also did not communicate any of this nor did I receive any communication from the city about their “plan”
36	I helped by putting out more signs, there really hasn't been enough of a media campaign for this, and definitely not enough signs out across Richmond. If the police department doesn't have enough staff to get out there and actually hold people accountable they will just keep doing it. The reported number of citations was absolutely not enough considering the promise that was made to be on top of it. I am aware of the huge parties that were a problem that took a lot of attention, but the City Council needs to allow the department to hire more officers! We usually call it in, but it always seems like a frustrating waste of time. Especially when we can tell them exactly who is doing it and nothing happens. It's almost always the same people. I have been collecting addresses as well. You can also drive around the neighborhood the next day and see who has been setting off fireworks by the debris surrounding their houses.	The signs didn't have any impact. We tried to call the number listed multiple times and could not get through. The City needs to have more dispatchers on hand to answer the calls and use drones or other ways to police the areas in Richmond. People setting off the fireworks probably saw the signs as inconsequential since nothing happened.
37		The obstacle to a solution is the Richmond City council, which will not support a fine for violators. Other communities that have much greater success or even eliminate fireworks
38		Fireworks will continue unless Richmond solves the bigger issues such as crime, blight, unhoused, poor infrastructure and the feeling that anything goes in our city. the fireworks are annoying and present fire danger but Richmond has much bigger issues than fireworks. Let's start getting the schools to increase their reading and math proficiency and giving them clean safe schools, streets and parks. We need more officers as well. Too many residents find fireworks fun and not sure how to convince them to stop. Thanks for your efforts this year but unfortunately not much changed.
39	Reporting	Reporting
40	When I lived in San Pablo, that's when I defiantly felt there was an issue. Growing up I was not informed there was a number I could call. I don't think people know they have that option.	Called for 9 years and nothing was done so I stopped calling 3 years ago. No sense in wasting time!
41	When the non-emergency number is called, the response is that "they are award of the issue and will have someone look into it.	Heard fireworks on or about night of August 2nd/3rd in Richmond Annex area that continued for 5-10 minutes. Was about to call RPD non emergency line but they stopped.
42	I called the non emergency number twice and both times spoke with a person and it seemed like the illegal firework activity stopped. The fireworks activity seemed much more manageable this year! Thank you! I am very grateful!!! I live off of Maine Ave on S 25th st. Keep up the good work!	in the past when i callled to report fireworks i was blown off so i didn't see any point. In the marina it's a constant. Unless people fear arrest they will continue to set off fireworks. The signs clearly did nothing. They also did not provide calling instructions. People intending to set off fireworks won't be deterred by those signs unless significant repercussions are obvious.
43	I did not call any phone number regarding illegal fireworks.
44	I didn't call any number this year because when I called the Richmond police last year, they asked me were the fireworks were specifically located and I could not give them that information. I could hear them going off for hours. Drones would be very useful in this kind of situation.
45	Why report? I have been conditioned to expect no action and no penalties.
46	I did not call RPD (as I have done in the past) because I did not think I'd get thru (which has happened in the past) & it all seemed pointless; & on the occasions in the past where I did get thru & was able to speak to a dispatcher, I knew nothing would happen; I was just reporting on an intolerable situation somewhere in my neighborhood.
47	Citations & Enforcement	Citations & Enforcement
48	The number of citations issued seems low given how widespread the explosive environment was. Expected more citations to impact the illegal activity because of using drones. Fireworks seem to start with graduation ceremonies every year; the problem is more than just the 4th of July. Don’t overlook the huge problem New Years celebrations become.	I personally engaged a group who came into our Yuba neighborhood and fired-off substantial explosives. At first I was just walking to see where things were going off but I emerged amidst the event, face-to-face and somewhat over my head. I let them know of the neighborhood concerns and the fines that had been put in place. I was never threatened. They left, heading north on Amador.
49	The complaints about effect of fireworks on pets/dogs is not very persuasive to me. The only concerns I have about illegal fireworks is: 1) Fire risk; and 2) the City’s ability and capacity to enforce its laws. It’s annoying that whole classes of law breaking go ignored by the City Council, City staff, city’s law enforcement. It’s makes me question why should I bother following the law if others get to break it and no one cares.	Illegal fireworks still occurred on the evening of July 4, and continued thereafter, and sometimes occurring today. Unless the city comes down very hard on the landlords/owners of the properties where this is occurring with very heavy fines, nothing will change. I hope your team isnâ€™t waiting for a catastrophic disaster to finally decide to really bring down the hammer hard on these perpetrators.
50	Keep pushing to stop illegal fireworks.	Richmond Police Department makes a lot of fake promises but this department is very dysfunctional and did nothing about the fireworks incidents that I reported. The operators were also very rude and unprofessional
51	Enforce the ban, hire more if needed. The lack of concern for residents and quality of life in Richmond is a serious problem.	Offended that the police represented this as "our first year" of pushing back against fireworks, when nothing legislative changed. This is the first year they "tried" More can be done with social host laws, and the city council has been consistently opposed to enforcement, but the increase in citations proves that more could have been done in previous years if the police had felt like it.
52	I helped by putting out more signs, there really hasn't been enough of a media campaign for this, and definitely not enough signs out across Richmond. If the police department doesn't have enough staff to get out there and actually hold people accountable they will just keep doing it. The reported number of citations was absolutely not enough considering the promise that was made to be on top of it. I am aware of the huge parties that were a problem that took a lot of attention, but the City Council needs to allow the department to hire more officers! We usually call it in, but it always seems like a frustrating waste of time. Especially when we can tell them exactly who is doing it and nothing happens. It's almost always the same people. I have been collecting addresses as well. You can also drive around the neighborhood the next day and see who has been setting off fireworks by the debris surrounding their houses.	Illegal fireworks still occurred on the evening of July 4, and continued thereafter, and sometimes occurring today. Unless the city comes down very hard on the landlords/owners of the properties where this is occurring with very heavy fines, nothing will change. I hope your team isn't waiting for a catastrophic disaster to finally decide to really bring down the hammer hard on these perpetrators.
53	Impose harsher punishment/consequences.
54	Please continue to use DFR to catch violators and seize fireworks. Also, I have had such a hard time getting through to the dispatcher in past years that I gave up trying.
55	I helped by putting out more signs, there really hasn't been enough of a media campaign for this, and definitely not enough signs out across Richmond. If the police department doesn't have enough staff to get out there and actually hold people accountable they will just keep doing it. The reported number of citations was absolutely not enough considering the promise that was made to be on top of it. I am aware of the huge parties that were a problem that took a lot of attention, but the City Council needs to allow the department to hire more officers! We usually call it in, but it always seems like a frustrating waste of time. Especially when we can tell them exactly who is doing it and nothing happens. It's almost always the same people. I have been collecting addresses as well. You can also drive around the neighborhood the next day and see who has been setting off fireworks by the debris surrounding their houses.
56	Glad that police were at locations with large numbers, but disappointed in number of violations given out.
57	I helped by putting out more signs, there really hasn't been enough of a media campaign for this, and definitely not enough signs out across Richmond. If the police department doesn't have enough staff to get out there and actually hold people accountable they will just keep doing it. The reported number of citations was absolutely not enough considering the promise that was made to be on top of it. I am aware of the huge parties that were a problem that took a lot of attention, but the City Council needs to allow the department to hire more officers! We usually call it in, but it always seems like a frustrating waste of time. Especially when we can tell them exactly who is doing it and nothing happens. It's almost always the same people. I have been collecting addresses as well. You can also drive around the neighborhood the next day and see who has been setting off fireworks by the debris surrounding their houses.
58	Yes, there was more activity in showing up and stopping the illegal fireworks to some extent, but the fact that no one was fined or taken in to show the severity of illegal fireworks is disgusting. PD shows up. Everything calm down but nothing stops because no one is paying the consequences of breaking the law. And that goes for everything.
59	Drones	Drones
60	Personally, I'd prefer a Drone Display instead of Fireworks on Marina Bay. Living on Marina Bay and experiencing the July 3rd event for the first time, all I can say is why does anyone want to live in a war zone. There was nothing special about the show. Just un-choreographed bangs. Has anyone evaluated the associated costs of Fireworks vs Drones? The costs of the event vs the costs for City clean-up, 911 calls, frightened pets and the effects on mental illness?
61	I didn't call any number this year because when I called the Richmond police last year, they asked me were the fireworks were specifically located and I could not give them that information. I could hear them going off for hours. Drones would be very useful in this kind of situation.
62	Thank you for your hard work on this important issue. Let's renew the pressure on the city to go with drone fireworks next year!
63	Let's make a drone fireworks show cool instead of the loud one on July 3. I'm telling my friends.
64	Miscellaneous	Miscellaneous
65	I was not present for the 7/4 festivities.
66	I was out of town late June/early July, but have definitely noticed significantly less fireworks noise this summer.
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