Fourth of July: City leaders emphasize fireworks safety

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Outgoing Los Angeles County Councilmember Bernard Parks took his second to last day as a city employee on Monday to stress the importance of fireworks safety ahead of the holiday weekend.

"You should only go to where we call 'safe and sane' fireworks shows," Parks said. "Professionals should be putting this on."

Parks is part of the Van Ness Fourth of July celebration, which will celebrate its 13th year.

The show will feature live entertainment starting at noon Saturday at the Van Ness Recreation Center, 5720 2nd Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90043.

There will be free shuttle rides to and from the Van Ness Recreation Center every 15 minutes from several locations around the city - including the Angeles Funeral Home, Harrison Ross Parking Lot on Crenshaw, the City Lot at 57th and 10th Avenue and at Chesterfield Square.

Los Angeles fire and police crews want to reinforce that while it's legal to purchase fireworks in some communities in Southern California, bringing them into the city is a crime.

You could face a fine or jail time. Officials also said flying bullets along with those fireworks have been far too common.

"Shooting firearms within the city of Los Angeles is illegal. Shooting the firearms in the air is a felony and extremely dangerous," said LAPD Capt. Marc Reina.

For more information on fireworks safety and a list of professional fireworks shows in Los Angeles County, visit www.safejuly4th.org.