Los Gatos was not immune this past Independence Day to the annual illegal dose of fireworks perpetrated by residents who are either ignorant about the law or simply don't care to obey it.
In Santa Clara County, it's illegal to sell, purchase, transport, store or use fireworks—except for Gilroy where so-called "safe-and-sane" fireworks are allowed, according to Santa Clara County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jose Cardoza.
Nevertheless, the Fourth of July kept Los Gatos-Monte Sereno law enforcement busy with two fireworks-related incidents on July 4 and then one the next day on July 5, according to police reports.
It all began early for local cops, with Michael John Shea, 22, arrested at 2:56 a.m. on July 4 on Pollard Road for lighting firecrackers on the railroad tracks.
He was found in possession of about 100 firecrackers, according to police.
Then, to culminate the officers' busy Fourth of July patrol duty, at 11:54 p.m., an arson incident was reported as a disturbance with unknown suspect(s) ligniting fireworks in the middle of the baseball infield at Blossom Hill Park, located at the corner of Shannon and Blossom Hill roads, east of Blossom Hill Elementary School.
It then progressed to the next day, Thursday, July 5, when at about 10 p.m., at 99 Wissahickon Ave. and 399 Pensylvannia Ave. in Los Gatos, unnamed suspects set off fireworks in the street in front of 600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The fireworks went into the Los Gatos Creek in front of the apartment complex, according to police.
