Patrols increase as Fourth of July weekend begins

From fears over fireworks, to drivers who might be drinking, law enforcement tell KRDO NewsChannel 13 officers will be watching for it all.

“You’ll see them all over the sky. Those are the ones we’ll be getting calls for,” said Deputy Sheriff Nick Berklich with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Springs police and Colorado State Patrol will step up patrols through Sunday. Local officers remind residents of fireworks restriction, expecting to be flooded with calls from concerned homeowners.

One homeowner in Colorado Springs says she’s already heard illegal fireworks in her neighborhood, though at first she thought it was gunfire.

“Folks do it anyway, and they know that. What can we do? We can’t expect law enforcement to be everywhere,” said Laura Crawner-Deliate.

Those officers hoping residents heed the bans and the warnings, hoping they’re increased efforts won’t be needed.

“It’s the safety issue, I really don’t want to go to a call and find some 6-year-old went over and picked up a firecracker that didn’t explode right away,” Berklich said.