CITATIONS for illegal fireworks were up this year in Garden Grove, but down in Huntington Beach.

The number of citations issued for the use and possession of illegal fireworks increased this year, according to statistics released Thursday by the Garden Grove Police Department.

For 2016, a total of 47 citations – all carrying $1000 fines – were issued. Thirty-one were to Garden Grove residents, and 16 to non-residents. In 2015, the total was 43, with 23 to residents and 20 to non-residents.

Earlier, the Huntington Beach Police Department reported that citations for illegal fireworks dropped from 39 in 2015 and just 11 this year. No statistics were available for Westminster.

HB AMBASSADOR PROGRAM EXTENDED

Huntington Beach and the Downtown Business Improvement District are partnering with the City of Huntington Beach to expand the Surf City USA Ambassador Program through the summer season.  The pilot program extension will run on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. through Sept. 3.  Ambassadors will primarily be located between Pacific Coast Highway and the first three blocks of Main Street, and bounded by 3rd Street, Orange Street, and 5th Street.

The Surf City USA Ambassador Program was launched in 2015 to promote a healthy, fun and family-friendly environment in downtown Huntington Beach, to greet and answer visitor questions, and to respond quickly to calls from downtown businesses regarding nuisance behavior from the general public. The daytime program operates year-round on weekdays from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m,, except Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 pm for Surf City Nights, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.

GG COUNCIL MEETINGS CANCELLED

The Garden Grove City Council, Housing Authority, Successor Agency, and the Sanitary District meetings are cancelled for July 26 and Aug. 23. The next dates will be on Aug. 9 and Sept. 6.

For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s office at (714) 741-5040.