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City Warns About 'Zero Tolerance' on Fireworks
By Zach Krasinski
Epoch Times New York Staff Jun 11, 2006
NEW YORK — While residents of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, and most other U.S. states may be enjoying backyard fireworks displays this July 4, New Yorkers have been reminded once again that such displays—including seemingly harmless sparklers—are not allowed in the city.
At the 122nd Police Precinct on Staten Island, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta warned New Yorkers of the consequences of transporting, buying, selling or using illegal fireworks last Thursday.
The public warning also included a display of the most common fireworks seized in the city, including sparklers, rockets, M-80s and firecrackers. Fireworks, including sparklers, burn at extremely high temperatures and can rapidly burn through clothing and skin, they warned.
"Fireworks are a wonderful way to celebrate Independence Day, but it's critical that we leave it to the professionals," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Fireworks are not only illegal, they are dangerous and in the hands of an untrained individual, fireworks can have deadly consequences."
Fireworks advocates have argued that almost all fireworks accidents are caused when people don't read the instructions printed on the fireworks. They also point out that in the United States, people are more likely to be injured driving in a car to or from a professional fireworks show than to be injured by using fireworks in their backyards.
This year, 769 cases of illegal fireworks have been confiscated by the NYPD, more than 60 people have been arrested for possessing or trafficking illegal fireworks, and 31 vehicles have been seized.
"For many years, July 4th was one of the busiest days of the year for the FDNY," said Fire Commissioner Scoppetta. "It was so busy that in some communities, additional fire units had to be added to respond to all of the fires caused by illegal fireworks. Today, as a result of the city's … zero tolerance on illegal fireworks, emergency call volume on July 4th is consistent with any other summer day and injuries related to fireworks have been reduced dramatically."
In 1995, the city began seriously cracking down on fireworks, toughening the laws and creating the Joint Fireworks Taskforce. Over the past 10 years, there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of fireworks-related injuries across the city. In 1995, there were 56 recorded injuries, compared to only 8 in 2005—a decrease of 86 percent. In July 2005, the Mayor signed a law creating civil penalties for individuals using fireworks illegally.
"Fireworks are a great way to celebrate Independence Day, but in the hands of our children they can be dangerous or worse," said Council Member Andrew Lanza. "While it may be tempting to bring fireworks into the city this summer, Staten Islanders should beware: it's illegal and it won't be tolerated."
The Epoch Times
:r
By Zach Krasinski
Epoch Times New York Staff Jun 11, 2006
NEW YORK — While residents of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, and most other U.S. states may be enjoying backyard fireworks displays this July 4, New Yorkers have been reminded once again that such displays—including seemingly harmless sparklers—are not allowed in the city.
At the 122nd Police Precinct on Staten Island, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta warned New Yorkers of the consequences of transporting, buying, selling or using illegal fireworks last Thursday.
The public warning also included a display of the most common fireworks seized in the city, including sparklers, rockets, M-80s and firecrackers. Fireworks, including sparklers, burn at extremely high temperatures and can rapidly burn through clothing and skin, they warned.
"Fireworks are a wonderful way to celebrate Independence Day, but it's critical that we leave it to the professionals," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Fireworks are not only illegal, they are dangerous and in the hands of an untrained individual, fireworks can have deadly consequences."
Fireworks advocates have argued that almost all fireworks accidents are caused when people don't read the instructions printed on the fireworks. They also point out that in the United States, people are more likely to be injured driving in a car to or from a professional fireworks show than to be injured by using fireworks in their backyards.
This year, 769 cases of illegal fireworks have been confiscated by the NYPD, more than 60 people have been arrested for possessing or trafficking illegal fireworks, and 31 vehicles have been seized.
"For many years, July 4th was one of the busiest days of the year for the FDNY," said Fire Commissioner Scoppetta. "It was so busy that in some communities, additional fire units had to be added to respond to all of the fires caused by illegal fireworks. Today, as a result of the city's … zero tolerance on illegal fireworks, emergency call volume on July 4th is consistent with any other summer day and injuries related to fireworks have been reduced dramatically."
In 1995, the city began seriously cracking down on fireworks, toughening the laws and creating the Joint Fireworks Taskforce. Over the past 10 years, there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of fireworks-related injuries across the city. In 1995, there were 56 recorded injuries, compared to only 8 in 2005—a decrease of 86 percent. In July 2005, the Mayor signed a law creating civil penalties for individuals using fireworks illegally.
"Fireworks are a great way to celebrate Independence Day, but in the hands of our children they can be dangerous or worse," said Council Member Andrew Lanza. "While it may be tempting to bring fireworks into the city this summer, Staten Islanders should beware: it's illegal and it won't be tolerated."
The Epoch Times
:r