New York City set to crackdown on illegal fireworks spree

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the formation of a new task force to target suppliers

Published: June 24, 2020 13:13 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Editor

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For weeks, New York has lived up to its nickname as the city that never sleeps, but not in a good way. Image Credit: Reuters

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In many neighborhoods, the near-constant pops and bangs of fireworks - beginning in early evening and persisting until almost dawn - provide an unwelcome soundtrack. Image Credit: Reuters

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The purchase, sale and ignition of fireworks is illegal in New York City. And some of those being used, weeks ahead of the July 4th holiday, are professional-grade. Image Credit: Reuters

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While the phenomenon has some theorizing that people are simply letting off steam after months of seclusion under coronavirus lockdowns, many residents are unenthused. Image Credit: Reuters

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The city has received more than 13,300 complaints about illegal fireworks on its 911 emergency line so far in 2020 - 12,500 of them in the month of June alone, police told AFP. Image Credit: Reuters

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In the first six months of 2019, according to police, the city fielded just 1,007 similar reports. Image Credit: Reuters

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On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio launched a task force to crack down on the pyrotechnics, saying law enforcement would target suppliers, including with sting operations, "to go and get these illegal fireworks at the base." Image Credit: Reuters

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Following his announcement, many on social media voiced concern over increased policing, in the wake of weeks of protests over racism and police brutality. Image Credit: Reuters

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De Blasio said the task force - to include 10 police officers, 12 fire marshals and 20 investigators from the city sheriff's office - were going to target "big fish," not "the kid on the corner." Image Credit: Reuters

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"We're focused on the people that are really profiting and really distributing a lot of fireworks," the mayor said. Image Credit: Reuters

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"In a lot of cases, you can't intervene if someone shoots off a firework and they're gone," he said. "It's not a good use of police time and energy." Image Credit: Reuters

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New York is not alone in dealing with the trend of amateur fireworks - other cities including Boston and Chicago have reported similar waves of all-night pyrotechnics. Image Credit: Reuters

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