Keep Oakland Safe This Fourth

 

The Oakland Police Department (OPD) and the City of Oakland are coordinating a public safety plan for Independence Day weekend to address illegal fireworks, traffic congestion, wildfire risks, and other safety concerns. "Our goal is prevention," said Chief Beere of the Oakland Police Department. "We want everyone to enjoy the holiday safely, protect our neighborhoods from fires and injuries, and ensure that police, fire, and medical personnel can respond quickly when needed. By working together, we can make this a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend for everyone."

 

City departments and regional partners will deploy additional resources throughout the weekend to support public safety and emergency response.  

All fireworks are illegal within the City of Oakland, including those considered "safe and sane" legally sold in other jurisdictions. Possessing, using, selling, or transferring fireworks within Oakland is a violation of the Oakland Municipal Code and may result in citations, fines, confiscation of fireworks, and, in some cases, criminal prosecution. Illegal fireworks pose significant risks to the community, including injuries, fires, property damage, impacts on pets, trauma to veterans, and increased demands on emergency services.

 

To enhance the safety of our community, residents can report illegal fireworks anonymously by calling the OPD Fireworks Tip Line at (510) 777-8814.

 

Fireworks may also be surrendered to any OPD officer without fear of enforcement action.

 

The Oakland Fire Department will also have firework collection barrels at the following fire stations:

Fire Station	Address	Fire Station	Address
Station 1	1603 Martin Luther King Jr. Way	Station 5	934 34th Street
Station 3	1445 14th Street	Station 18	5008 Bancroft Avenue
Station 4	1235 International Boulevard	Station 20	101 98th Avenue

 

Over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, OPD will increase staffing to keep our community safe. Officers will conduct high-visibility patrols and targeted enforcement operations across the city, focusing on illegal fireworks, sideshows, reckless and impaired driving, and violent crime, particularly in areas that historically see higher activity during the holiday.

 

Due to elevated wildfire risk and to protect our residents and visitors, Grizzly Peak Boulevard will be closed to through traffic between Skyline Boulevard and Centennial Drive from 4:00 a.m. on July 4 through 5:00 a.m. on July 5.

 

The City of Oakland is coordinating with regional partners, including Berkeley, East Bay Regional Park District, UC Berkeley, Moraga-Orinda Fire District, Alameda County, Cal Fire, and Caltrans.

 

To improve pedestrian safety, reduce congestion, and ensure emergency vehicle access around Lake Merritt, temporary road closures and traffic restrictions will be implemented during the holiday weekend.

The following roadway closures will be in effect:

For full details on road closures, please visit: https://www.oaklandca.gov/July4

We can’t do this alone; we rely on our community to help keep us safe. The City encourages residents and visitors to celebrate responsibly, comply with all roadway closures and traffic restrictions, designate sober drivers, and leave fireworks to professional displays. Working together, we can keep Oakland Safe.