Mayor Bill de Blasio today established a multi-agency task force to crack down on illegal fireworks sales. The task force will target suppliers, distributors and possessors of large quantities of illegal fireworks by conducting investigations and sting operations within and outside of New York City to disrupt supply chains. The FDNY will also launch a public safety campaign, including public service announcements and social media, to illustrate the dangers of illegal fireworks.
The task force will consist of 10 officers from NYPD Intelligence Bureau, 12 FDNY Fire Marshals and 20 members of the Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
“Illegal fireworks are both dangerous and a public nuisance,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “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.”
“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. The NYPD will continue to work closely with our city partners to address this dangerous issue,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea.
“Fireworks are illegal in New York City for a reason: they are extremely dangerous and can cause fires and serious injuries,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro. “Our Fire Marshals will work closely with their fellow law enforcement agencies to address this growing problem that is impacting New Yorkers in communities across our city.”
“Illegal fireworks pose a significant danger to New York families, and the Sheriff’s Office will use its investigative tools in the areas of contraband interdiction in conjunction with our law enforcement agency partners to vigorously suppress the sale and distribution of illegal fireworks,” said Sheriff Joseph Fucito.
Monday night, angry citizens from around Brooklyn got into their vehicles and drove to Gracie Mansion in what was a grassroots protest over the mayor’s incompetence and lack of leadership.
It has been a few weeks now that illegal fireworks are being lit into the sky in populated streets across the city throughout the night, with the highest number of complaints in Brookyn’s neighborhoods.
The New York Police Department is categorically not responding to complaints by residents, despite their dangerous nature and the late hours in which they are being fired off.
After more then a week !!!!
See what a sleepless night can accomplish.
Well done late night protestors.
He is doing nothing to stop the actual ppl who are shooting off fireworks!!
daily news later asked him if last nights car protest had anything to do with his decision he answered “not in the slightest”. yeah right.
Does anyone really expect them to investigate and hold whatever organization (likely antifa) accountable for supplying the fireworks?
Does anyone have pictures from last night’s protest at De Blasio’s house????😉😉😉
There are pictures in the previous article.
And videos
i guess the occupants of Gracy mansion had puffy eyes in the AM
Go Shmully Stern and all who showed up and supported the cause
Dont think the mayor sleeps at Gracie Mansion, but in Park Slope.
The mayor needs to hold people accountable for their actions to stop this craziness. Blaming it on suppliers isn’t going to help us. Its not only about where the fireworks are coming from. It needs to stop. The end. IF not, people have horns that can honk very loud. Will he stop the car manufacturers from making cars that honk?
He is one of the worst Mayors the city ever had. He knows he can not get re elected so he doesn’t care what goes on,
He will assign a few agencies to do nothing to stop the actual illegal activities, dont be fooled. Say there is enough fireworks to keep this city up for weeks. Keep honking this bugger down.
It’s a nice way of saying we plan to do absolutely nothing to stop the fireworks. It’s now official that they have no plans to stop anyone who is actually setting off fireworks.
I saw two different groups of people selling fireworks on EP today (going towards Prospect Park). The police don’t care–after weeks of protests against them and people clamoring for a city with them defunded, why would they bother trying to reel this in? It’s a taste of what life would be like without them. Terrible for all of us who can’t sleep in the meantime, but can’t really blame the police either…