SRPD Fourth of July Weekend Wrap-up

The Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) worked diligently throughout the long holiday weekend to ensure public safety during a period known for heightened activity and celebrations. With numerous events across the city, including illegal fireworks, disruptive parties, DUI arrests, and firearm seizures, SRPD implemented proactive measures to maintain order and protect residents and visitors.

Throughout the holiday period, additional patrols were deployed strategically to conduct DUI saturation patrols and respond to fireworks and party-related calls for service. Officers worked in conjunction with the Santa Rosa Fire Department (SRFD) to seize hundreds of pounds of illegal fireworks. DUI saturation patrols resulted in 7 arrests for DUI. Additionally, Special Enforcement Team Officers prevented violent crimes from occurring in our community by conducting proactive patrols, seizing two illegally possessed firearms.

The SRPD Communications Center answered 2,703 phone calls between 6:00 a.m. on July 4, and 6:00 a.m. on July 8. Of those calls, 351 calls were created for fireworks complaints. During the same time frame, SRPD officers:

• Confiscated hundreds of pounds of fireworks
• Investigated 4 felony assaults and 11 misdemeanor assaults
• Seized 2 loaded, illegally possessed firearms
• Investigated 11 narcotic-related offenses
• Made 5 arrests for disorderly conduct
• Arrested 8 people for DUI
• Made 49 total arrests for a variety of criminal offenses

In many cases, by the time an officer arrives at the scene of illegal fireworks activity, the perpetrators have already left the area, or the officer is diverted to a higher priority call. Such was the case on the night of July 6, 2024. At approximately 10:15 p.m., officers assigned to fireworks patrol were responding to a fireworks complaint at Pioneer Park in the 2000 block of Peterson Lane. As they were approaching the park, several members of the community called SRPD to report not only fireworks but a subject with a rifle, at Peterson Lane Park a few blocks away. The officers diverted and headed to Peterson Lane Park. After arriving, the officers saw a group of people loitering in the park and heard what they believed to be a pellet gun or small caliber rifle being fired. As they approached the group, one officer could see a man at a picnic table holding and loading what looked like a rifle. The officers were able to safely detain the subject and learned the item was a pellet gun (pictured below). Orion Stefanson, a 48-year-old Santa Rosa resident, was issued an arrest citation for Santa Rosa City Ordinance 10-24.030, discharge of an airgun in public, and 11377(a) HS, possession of suspected methamphetamine. No evidence of fireworks was located at the scene.  

The Santa Rosa Police Department wishes to extend our gratitude to the Santa Rosa community for their cooperation, information, and vigilance throughout the Fourth of July weekend. We remain dedicated to serving and protecting the community year-round. Residents are encouraged to continue to be proactive in reporting any concerns or emergencies by calling 911 or the SRPD Non-Emergency Line at 707-528-5222.

Media inquires can be made to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, Public Information Officer, at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.