SANTA CRUZ >> To help ensure the well-being of Santa Cruz residents and visitors this Independence Day holiday weekend, the Santa Cruz Police Department will enforce a citywide Safety Enhancement Zone from 8 a.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Monday.

When the Safety Enhancement Zone goes into effect Friday morning, fines will be tripled for violations of the city’s code, which includes the illegal discharge of fireworks, excessive noise, trespassing, graffiti, littering, public consumption of alcohol and misconduct on public property, among others.

In a news release, the Santa Cruz Police Department pointed out that the negligent use of fireworks, even those marked “safe and sane,” sparks fires in the city each year, and that the possession, discharge or sale of fireworks in the city is strictly prohibited.According to the release, “The Santa Cruz Police Department is committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable holiday experience, and officers will proactively enforce all violations, which are subject to triple fines.”

Officers will be actively patrolling this weekend and responding to complaints from community members about the illegal use of fireworks in the city. The Santa Cruz Police Department urges anyone who witnesses the use of fireworks in the city to call the nonemergency line at 831-471-1131. If an injury or fire occurs as a result of fireworks use, call 911.

“We rely on our partnership with the community to keep us all safe this Fourth of July,” a statement from the Santa Cruz Police Department reads.