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| New York City Announces Crackdown on Illegal Fireworks | New York City Announces Crackdown on Illegal Fireworks |
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| Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday that New York City would crack down on the illegal use and distribution of fireworks, after the nightly cacophony of booms and crackles generated thousands of complaints from residents this month, with some calling on the city to step up its response. | Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday that New York City would crack down on the illegal use and distribution of fireworks, after the nightly cacophony of booms and crackles generated thousands of complaints from residents this month, with some calling on the city to step up its response. |
| The city received more than 12,500 calls to its 911 system for illegal fireworks this month, according to the police. That is roughly 12 times the number of comparable calls received by the city in the first six months of 2019, the police said. | The city received more than 12,500 calls to its 911 system for illegal fireworks this month, according to the police. That is roughly 12 times the number of comparable calls received by the city in the first six months of 2019, the police said. |
| In Brooklyn, where many of the fireworks are being heard, more than 4,500 complaints of fireworks have come in to the city’s 311 system in June, the police said. That is more than 80 times the number of 311 calls received by the city in the first six months of 2019. | In Brooklyn, where many of the fireworks are being heard, more than 4,500 complaints of fireworks have come in to the city’s 311 system in June, the police said. That is more than 80 times the number of 311 calls received by the city in the first six months of 2019. |
| At a news briefing on Tuesday morning, Mr. de Blasio said the authorities would conduct a “sting operation to go and get these illegal fireworks at the base.” | At a news briefing on Tuesday morning, Mr. de Blasio said the authorities would conduct a “sting operation to go and get these illegal fireworks at the base.” |
| “We’re going to go at it hard now and address it immediately,” he said. | “We’re going to go at it hard now and address it immediately,” he said. |
| Investigators would examine the sale of fireworks inside the city as well as in surrounding states, focusing on those who are supplying and profiting from fireworks sales. Asked if the city would also crack down on people setting off illegal fireworks, Mr. de Blasio said the “more profound issue” was cutting off the supply. | |
| “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.” | |
| The city’s response came as videos and images of fireworks have been shared widely on social media, with people even firing them at each other in some cases. The fireworks have also been reported in other cities nationwide, including Oakland, Calif., and Baltimore. | |
| For some, setting off fireworks has been a form of catharsis in the pandemic, and a means of defying and protesting against what they see as a flawed criminal justice system. | For some, setting off fireworks has been a form of catharsis in the pandemic, and a means of defying and protesting against what they see as a flawed criminal justice system. |
| But for others, the fireworks have been a nuisance, spreading fear and anxiety among a population already stressed out by the coronavirus and quarantine. | But for others, the fireworks have been a nuisance, spreading fear and anxiety among a population already stressed out by the coronavirus and quarantine. |
| Councilman Chaim Deutsch, who represents parts of Brooklyn, has been pressing the city to do more to crack down on the illegal fireworks. On Monday night, Councilman Deutsch joined a number of people honking their car horns outside Gracie Mansion in protest to try to get Mayor Bill de Blasio to strengthen the city’s response to illegal fireworks. | Councilman Chaim Deutsch, who represents parts of Brooklyn, has been pressing the city to do more to crack down on the illegal fireworks. On Monday night, Councilman Deutsch joined a number of people honking their car horns outside Gracie Mansion in protest to try to get Mayor Bill de Blasio to strengthen the city’s response to illegal fireworks. |
| “We need to send a message that we need to end these chaotic fireworks that’s been happening across the city,” Councilman Deutsch said in a video posted to Twitter early Tuesday morning. “If we can’t sleep, you can’t sleep.” | “We need to send a message that we need to end these chaotic fireworks that’s been happening across the city,” Councilman Deutsch said in a video posted to Twitter early Tuesday morning. “If we can’t sleep, you can’t sleep.” |
| Councilman Deutsch has circulated a petition urging Mayor de Blasio to do more to end the use of illegal fireworks. He said that as of Monday afternoon, the petition had gathered more than 10,000 signatures. | Councilman Deutsch has circulated a petition urging Mayor de Blasio to do more to end the use of illegal fireworks. He said that as of Monday afternoon, the petition had gathered more than 10,000 signatures. |
| Fireworks are illegal to buy, sell or ignite in New York, but they are an entrenched tradition of the city’s streets, especially in working-class neighborhoods. They are generally sold from duffel bags or car trunks and set off in the days before July 4. | Fireworks are illegal to buy, sell or ignite in New York, but they are an entrenched tradition of the city’s streets, especially in working-class neighborhoods. They are generally sold from duffel bags or car trunks and set off in the days before July 4. |
| But this year, the unauthorized displays began at least a month earlier than usual, as other warm-weather get-togethers were halted by social-distancing rules. | But this year, the unauthorized displays began at least a month earlier than usual, as other warm-weather get-togethers were halted by social-distancing rules. |
| At the news conference on Tuesday, Mr. de Blasio said that city would not have the traditional Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show, but that there would be a series of smaller shows held across all five boroughs from June 29 through July 1. Each show would last about five minutes, he said, with the changes meant to discourage people from gathering in large groups. | |
| “People will be able to see different pieces at different points,” he said. “It is going to be something that’s very special to the city — very special, very moving, but also very safe.” |