New York City officials are cracking down on illegal fireworks with a new task force that will include police officers going undercover to buy them and sting operations.
The new task force will focus on conducting operations in the city and in other parts of the state in an attempt to tackle the problem “at its knees,” Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, told reporters Tuesday.
“Illegal fireworks are both dangerous and a public nuisance. We’re cracking down on this activity at the source to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers and the ability of our neighbors to get some sleep,” he added.
The multi-agency force will include officers from the NYPD’s Intelligence Bureau, marshals from the Fire Department of New York, and members from the Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, a Department of Finance office that helps with criminal investigations. Over 40 officers combined will be part of the force.
Consumer fireworks are illegal to use, buy, sell, or transport in the city.
Nearly 2,000 fireworks complaints have been received by city officials this month alone—an increase of more than 80 times the same time period last year—in a phenomenon that’s puzzled many and led to a slew of conspiracy theories.
Earlier yesterday morning, a homeless male was sleeping on the sidewalk in front of 67 Lenox Avenue, in the confines of the 28 pct, when he was attacked. The male pictured above threw a lit firework on him, which exploded causing burns to the victims back. pic.twitter.com/gUZhbLznGT
— Chief Rodney Harrison (@NYPDDetectives) June 23, 2020
In one shocking video recorded in the early hours of Monday, two black men are recorded hurling a firework at a homeless man who was sleeping outside a storefront.
NYPD Chief Terence Monahan called what happened inhumane. Officers will find those responsible for the assault, he said.
The homeless man was in stable condition, with burns to his back from the explosion.
The task force is targeting entities and individuals that supply illegal fireworks, as well as people who distribute and possess them. A major goal is to cut off supply chains.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks at a temporary hospital site in New York, March 31, 2020. (Frank Franklin II/ AP Photo)“For any number of reasons, the use of illegal firework has skyrocketed this year and that has damaged the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said. “The NYPD will continue to work closely with our city partners to address this dangerous issue.”
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and City Councilman Robert E. Cornegy Jr. told reporters over the weekend that people shouldn’t necessarily call the police when fireworks are going off.
“These times demand that we stop leaning on policing and law enforcement when we have alternatives,” Cornegy said in a statement.
They support community engagement and community education, including letting locals know about the dangers illegal fireworks present, such the loss of lives and loss of limbs.
De Blasio said he wants to see local groups involved in stopping the illegal fireworks, including the Cure Violence movement, but also wants the groups to help stop shootings.
Focus News: New York City Targeting Illegal Fireworks After Rash of Explosions