Cops don’t want to take the pop out of the Fourth of July, they just want to remove some of the danger.
That’s why the NYPD is once again cracking down on illegal fireworks being stored, sold or set off throughout the borough.
“It’s an issue of public safety,” explained Lt. James Woods, head of the community affairs division for Patrol Borough Brooklyn South. “Kids tend to get hurt when there are fireworks around. We want everyone to enjoy the Fourth with their families, not in a hospital emergency room.”
Cops have been cracking down on illegal fireworks in the borough for years. If they’re found, the explosives will be immediately confiscated and the person caught with them faces a $750 fine. If fireworks were found in a car, the vehicle can be seized, police said.
Police are currently offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading them to fireworks sellers or caches of fireworks.
Three years ago, nearly 9,000 pounds of fireworks were found in a home on East 27th Street between Avenue Z and Voorhies Avenue in Sheepshead Bay. Police at the time said all someone had to do was throw a match through the front door and the whole building would have exploded.
In another incident, fireworks were found in an East Flatbush home — stowed under a baby’s crib, police said.
Cops are asking anyone who sees illegal fireworks being sold or ignited to call 911 immediately. Information about firework caches or sellers should be forwarded to 311.
All calls will be kept confidential.
