Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
- Marine and Environmental Lands Unit
- Patrol Units

What:
During the Fourth of July weekend, Pinellas County deputies will maintain a high profile on the waterways and roadways to ensure a safe holiday for citizens and visitors. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to enjoy the local festivities and wants to remind them that firework displays should only be conducted by trained professionals.

When:
The holiday weekend begins the morning of Friday, July 1, 2016 and continues until midnight on Monday July 4, 2016.

Where:
Pinellas County roadways and waterways.

Why/How:
The Sheriff’s Marine Unit and Patrol Deputies will maintain a proactive profile over the holiday weekend on the highly traveled roadways and waterways of Pinellas County. They will be on the lookout for impaired drivers and boaters.

As a reminder this Fourth of July, don’t forget that Pinellas County has an ordinance banning the retail sale, purchase, and use of fireworks that project into the air and explode. Sparklers are legal, but remember to only use them outside and as intended. It is also unsafe to mix alcohol and the use of fireworks.  Additionally, firing guns into the air in celebration is unsafe and illegal. A bullet returning to the ground could cause serious injury or death.

Citizens experiencing problems with illegal fireworks within the unincorporated areas of Pinellas County or the PCSO contract cities of Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Shore, Dunedin, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Redington Beach, St. Pete Beach, Safety Harbor, Seminole, and South Pasadena are encouraged to contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at 727-582-6200. Residents of other municipalities are asked to contact their local police department for assistance.

Deputies also want to remind everyone to be aware of pedestrians, as many people will line the beaches and local parks for Fourth of July festivities. If you are a pedestrian near the roadways, please always remember to utilize the sidewalks and cross in the established pedestrian crosswalks. Drivers should remember to always travel the speed limit and pay careful attention to pedestrians crossing the street. Drivers are encouraged to look twice and slow down when approaching pedestrian crosswalks. If the crosswalk warning lights are flashing, this usually indicates that pedestrians are using the designated crosswalk and drivers should yield.

For those planning to spend this holiday weekend on the water, “Operation Kid-Float” is a program available to citizens that loans personal floatation devices (PFDs) to children. The Marine Unit recommends that all children wear a PFD while underway and that PFDs be readily accessible to all occupants of a vessel.

Marine deputies will have PFDs on board and will hand them out as needed following boat safety equipment inspections. PFDs can be returned at the PCSO Marine Facility (drop-off bin only) located at 19305 Gulf Boulevard in Indian Shores. Citizens can also pickup and drop off loaner PFDs at the three locations below:

John Chestnut Park located at 2200 East Lake Road S. in Palm Harbor.

Dunedin City Marina located at 51 Main Street in Dunedin.

Fort Desoto Boat Ramp located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway S. in Tierra Verde.Posted by Spencer Gross Thursday, July 2, 2015 1:20:00 PM Categories: Events