With the Fourth of July just about a month away, the New York Police Department is reminding residents that they are playing with fire, quite literally, when they set off illegal fireworks.
“The Police Department takes fireworks very seriously,” stressed Captain Raymond Festino, the commanding officer of the 68th Precinct. “They are dangerous. People can lose fingers or limbs and illegal fireworks are also a fire hazard.”
In Bay Ridge, residents experienced that first hand, as a house fire on 73rd Street in 1991 that was ignited by a smoldering firecracker that landed on the home resulted in the deaths of three people.
Anyone who has information about the sale or purchase of illegal fireworks should contact the NYPD, said Festino. Calls to report a crime in progress should be made to 911; calls providing information should go to 311.
Fireworks possession or sale can result in a fine of up to $750, vehicle confiscation, even arrest.
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