Reports of illegal fireworks skyrocket across the US

Even though July 4 is just under weeks away, reports of illegal fireworks have surged in cities, and police are struggling to keep up with complaints.

In New York City, authorities are forming a new law enforcement task force to try to curb a surge in the use of illegal fireworks.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday that the team made up of New York Police Department officers, fire department investigators and sheriff’s deputies will use undercover buys and other methods to try to cut off the supply chain of fireworks coming from out of state.

Social media videos have shown a growing number of people setting off fireworks on city streets in recent weeks.

New Yorkers have taken the noise problem to the front door of de Blasio.

Protesters gathered outside Gracie Mansion asking him to take action on the issue. Instead of fireworks, people honked their car horns as they drove by the property, according to WPIX.

Chaim Deutsch, a New York City councilman, participated in the protest tweeting video from the scene and the message, “Mr. Mayor, if we can’t sleep, you won’t sleep.”

Coast to coast major cities are struggling to get police to address the use of illegal fireworks.

Some Los Angeles residents have been forced to petition for police to take action against illegal fireworks. Despite laws banning most fireworks in the city, residents say it is widely ignored and rarely enforced by police.

With some of the strictest fireworks laws in the country, Boston and the surrounding communities have reported continuous illegal fireworks displays night after night often into the early morning.

Worcester police Lt. Sean Murtha believes the large increases might be because people have been trapped in their homes for so many months.

“I think a lot of it is due to the COVID lockdown. People are bored and now it’s nice weather, so people want to go out and it’s something they can do without being in a large crowd,” Murtha told WFXT.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Cox Media Group