Fireworks Sales Begin In Socorro

Like it or not, fireworks are now for sale in the city of Socorro.

Despite a countywide ban restricting the sale, possession and use of the 4th of July favorites, Socorro officials decided to make the ‘sale’ part legal within city limits.

One by one, fireworks stands have come alive along I-10 after having targets slapped on their backs during a year filled with drought and dangerous fire conditions.

Ben Hodge, a northeast El Paso pastor, welcomed the sales. Hodge’s church helps operate a stand in Socorro in exchange for a cut of the profits. The money raised, Hodge told ABC-7, is used to fund youth activities for his organization.

“We show up, take responsibility for and sell it,” he said. “Whatever we don’t sell, we turn back in and we get a part of it.”

There are profits to be had for the city of Socorro, too.

Those profits take the form of permits that have been sold to eager vendors ready unload their inventory.

Dave Garcia, spokesman for the city of Socorro, told ABC-7 the city charges $1,000 per permit for each individual stand.

Garcia said that is on par with industry standards and no different than what the city charged fireworks companies last year.

Socorro has sold 20 permits so far this year, he said. That is eight fewer than 2010’s total.

El Paso Sheriff Richard Wiles has said his deputies will keep a close eye on the stands to make sure no one takes fireworks beyond Socorro city limits.

Popping fireworks is still banned across the entire county, including in Socorro. Anyone caught breaking the law could face a fine of up to $500.