LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is warning residents they face up to 35 years in prison for illegal fireworks use, pointing to a case involving explosive devices that injured a woman and shattered windows in an Inglewood neighborhood.
The stern warning comes as multiple Fourth of July celebrations across the county are being canceled or postponed due to safety concerns following weeks of federal immigration enforcement raids in the region.
Joshua Alavez, 26, of Inglewood faces the maximum sentence after allegedly setting off large-scale pyrotechnic devices in a residential neighborhood on Christmas Day 2024 while on pretrial release for fireworks charges from the Dodgers World Series celebration.
“Illegal fireworks are not just dangerous, they’re criminal,” Hochman said. “If you set off explosives in our neighborhoods, injure our residents, damage our homes, and terrorize our communities, we will come after you with the full weight of the law.”
Meanwhile, community fears about immigration enforcement have prompted widespread cancellations of Independence Day celebrations across majority Hispanic communities.
Los Angeles County’s Gloria Molina Grand Park Summer Block Party, scheduled for downtown Friday evening, was postponed “out of an abundance of caution,” organizers announced on Instagram.
The L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation canceled this year’s East Los Angeles Rockin’ 4th of July celebration in response to recent ICE activity and postponed the Summer Movies & Concerts series, including events at Schabarum Park, according to ABC7.
Bell Gardens, Cudahy and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado’s District 14 — all majority Hispanic communities — have announced postponements and cancellations in recent days, ABC7 reported.
Jurado’s district encompasses Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Lincoln Heights and Northeast Los Angeles, where Independence Day events are being postponed.
“We’re responding to the crisis with the presence of federal agents in the community,” Alejandra Alarcon, Jurado’s spokeswoman, told local media.
The El Sereno Bicentennial Committee canceled its 66th Annual Independence Day Parade, noting that “our participation is usually robust with over 1,200 people marching in the parade.”
The committee said participants “are some of the most patriotic people you would meet” who “believe in the promise of this land, of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” but added that “the safety of our participants, spectators, and volunteers is at the forefront.”
In addition to the DA’s criminal enforcement warnings, the City of Carson has implemented a zero-tolerance fireworks policy with fines up to $5,000, though this measure targets fire safety rather than immigration concerns.
Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes said Carson is partnering with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department for joint patrols leading up to July 4th. The city offers $250-$500 rewards for tips leading to successful citations of illegal fireworks use.
“Fireworks cause thousands of preventable injuries and millions in property losses nationwide,” Davis-Holmes said. “Carson is taking a stand and violators will receive a fine of up to $5,000.”
Carson’s ordinance prohibits all fireworks, including “safe and sane” varieties, within city limits. Residents can report suspected fireworks activity to the Carson Sheriff’s Station at (310) 830-1123.
County officials have not announced whether additional July 4th events may be affected as the holiday weekend approaches amid both immigration enforcement concerns and intensified fireworks prosecution efforts.
