Cities across the country report an unusual increase in explosions and complaints about it.
Did you notice the amount of fireworks in the last few weeks?
From Downtown Los Angeles, to the San Fernando Valley, and even beyond the county and crossing the state of California, in recent weeks and throughout the country, a unusual increase in the use of illegal fireworks.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Mission Police Station received the most complaints in LA, with 183 complaints about fireworks activities in recent weeks, in Mission Hills, Panorama City and other Valley cities. from San Fernando (https://data.lacity.org/). While in Carson, over the weekend of June 13 and 14, the Sheriff's Department seized $ 10,000 worth of illegal fireworks.
According to LAPD data, the number of complaints and allegations about illegal fireworks during the first three weeks of June increased 170 percent, in relation to 2019. Between May 20 to June 20 of this year, the LAPD responded to 1,874 calls on the same problem, an increase of 225 percent, compared to 2019. Between June 1 and 20, officers responded to 1,429 calls for fireworks, compared to 528, on the same date of the previous year.
But the unusual surge in illegal fireworks is not limited to Los Angeles. The ABC news network reported that until June 22, San Francisco had received 2,733 complaints; while in June, New York received other 13,109 calls, compared to just 32 calls, during the same month, a year ago. In Boston, Mayor Marty Walsh reported that until June 24 they had received 7,844 complaints about illegal fireworks.
What is the reason for the increase in illegal fireworks?
The explanations for the increase in this activity are many and range from conspiracy theories, related to the recent protests against racism and police violence, and the uncertain political climate of the moment, to simple reasons such as “people are bored to be locked in quarantine. "
According to Phantom Fireworks, one of the leading fireworks companies based in Youngstown, Ohio, the increase in their sale and use, particularly among first-time buyers, is due in part to the fact that countless public events were suspended, by the measures of social distancing and the COVID-19 outbreak, and people seek their own entertainment. The company reported a 15 percent increase in sales, nationwide.
Prohibition and enforcement
Last week, in response to the unusual increase in the use of illegal fireworks, the City Attorney Mike Feuer, announced actions to prevent their sale and a campaign to educate the population about all the reasons why they should not use them.
"Almost every corner of Los Angeles faces what appears to be a huge increase in illegal fireworks activity when many of us are already nervous about the virus," Feuer said. "Between very real risk of injury and the unacceptable impact on veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), children with special needs and our pets, the nightly attack of illegal fireworks that we are experiencing must stop, "Feuer said in a statement.
Feuer's office is investigating online sales of fireworks and sending "cease and desist" letters to internet marketers.
On its website, the Los Angeles County Fire Department also alerts the public to the illegal use of fireworks.
"It is illegal to store, manufacture, sell, use or manipulate all kinds of fireworks without a valid license in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, ”reports the site. The fires illegal fireworks have been banned this weekend of July 4th, in accordance with the county Public Health Order.
Fines for possession, illegal sale, or use range from $ 500 to $ 50,000, depending on the situation and severity, and even one year in prison.
Dangers of using fireworks
City Attorney Mike Feuer mentioned some of the many reasons why the use of illegal fireworks is prohibited.
First of all, explosions can cause burns and wounds, especially in the eyes, fingers, hands and legs. At the same time, the noise caused by such explosions negatively impacts veterans with PTSD, about 20 percent of military personnel who served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
This illegal activity also negatively impacts children with autism, or with sensory challenges that they cannot tolerate noise; as well as to pets who suffer intensely from the explosions and when scared run away and get lost. According to information from the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, in recent years, during the week of July 4, the agency received more than 1,000 lost pets.
More information
For complaints and complaints related to the use of illegal fireworks you can visit: https://complaint.lacity.org/Complaint/fireworks/
At the same time, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is accepting the delivery of fireworks, without giving fines. For more information, you can call 877-ASK-LAPD
