Numbers are in on the city’s 2008 fireworks season and things are looking up.

Police Chief Jim Kelly presented his findings in the Fireworks After-action Report to members of the Municipal Services Committee on July 10.

Kelly said the police department has increased the enforcement on illegal fireworks within the city since 1997 and the City Council has made it a priority. Since 2004, police have taken a zero-tolerance policy with respect to illegal firework possession and discharge. The rule in Auburn is basic: if it goes up or blows up, it is illegal.

Here is what the stats show for ’08:

• Police made a total of 28 total fireworks-related arrests in 2008 compared to 45 in 2007, a 40 percent decrease,

• Police took away 33,000 individual fireworks in 2008, down from 45,000 in 2008.

• Residents placed 309 calls for service between May 26 and July 6, 45 fewer than in 2007.

• Police responded to 133 calls for service between 11 p.m. July 4 and 3 a.m. July 5, 22 fewer than in 2007.

Kelly said that on July 4, 11 officers were assigned on or near the Muckleshoot fireworks stands and discharge area, two more than in 2007, resulting in a decrease in the number of citizens discharging fireworks. And each night prior to July 4, officers working fireworks emphasis reported fewer than 15 people each night discharging fireworks.

Although an official count of citizens discharging fireworks was never conducted, officers with experience reported a decrease of people in the discharge area. Kelly said this same observation was made on the night of July 4.

Police set a number of goals for 2008, among them the following:

• Increasing citizen awareness of the fireworks laws and emphasis patrols

• Increasing the amount of illegal-fireworks-related arrests and illegal fireworks confiscated

• Meeting or exceeding the number of officers in the field, starting on May 26 through July 6

• Decreasing fireworks-related calls for service through police presence and education

Kelly said his department also committed to work with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to address safety issues in the stands and the discharge area, monitor and help the tribe shut down the discharge area in accord with agreements between the city and tribe.

In addition to press releases, news articles and signs, the city sent direct mailers to more than 29,000 residents, explaining the city’s fireworks ordinance and enforcement efforts.

It delivered informational flyers, consisting of fireworks laws, education and information to more than 61 apartment complexes and mobile home courts.

Mayor Pete Lewis said a number of residents told him after July 4 that the situation had improved.

But he had employed one additional measure of success. He said he was driving July 4 on Cemetery Hill, and whereas in years past, the haze of fireworks left a 20-to-30-foot-deep haze over the valley, there was no such haze this year.

“It didn’t happen this year, and there wasn’t a lot of wind. With the exception of a couple of areas, like the area around Forest Villa and Lakeland Hills, the majority of people were obeying the laws and enjoying the Fourth,” Lewis said.