Sheriff’s Office Will Buy Back Fireworks Anonymously In This Bay Area County: Police

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Regretting buying fireworks? Don’t worry the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office will let residents sell them back anonymously once again on June 7 and 14 in hopes to decrease hazards, police said.

“Over the last two years, we’ve seen how effective it can be when we give residents a safe, anonymous and rewarding way to dispose of fireworks. With the continued support of our community and partners, we’re building on that progress again this year,” said Christina Corpus, San Mateo County Sheriff.

The SMC Sheriff’s Office hosted a buyback in 2023 as part of a pilot program in North Fair Oaks and said that the unincorporated area saw a noticeable decrease in fireworks related calls on July 4.

Once again in 2024, the sheriff’s office hosted another buyback but expanded it along the coast and north county. The sheriff’s office increased the cash incentive to $200 that year and collected more than 700 pounds of illegal fireworks, police said.

In 2025, there will be buyback events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 7 at the Northern Branch Courthouse located at 1050 Mission Rd in South San Francisco and on June 14 at the Sheriff's Office Substation at 690 Broadway in Redwood City, police said.

Fireworks are illegal in San Mateo County except in Pacifica and San Bruno, police said.