Complaints over fireworks skyrocketing across Massachusetts

BOSTON — They are beautiful and colorful, but can also be frightening and obnoxious.

By now you’ve seen or heard fireworks going off throughout the state even though Massachusetts has the strictest laws in the country on them.

“Especially late night 1 to 2 o’clock in the morning,” said Cambridge Police Department director of communications Jeremy Warnick. “That creates a lot of trauma for some of our residents especially those who are elderly.”

Not just for seniors, but parents with newborns, and pet owners and people just concerned about injuries or their property going up in flames.

“There a lot in the area but particularly Worcester has a lot and they are particularly very old buildings and a lot of times up to 100 years old or more and they are susceptible to fires,” said Worcester Police Lieutenant Sean Murtha. “It is a fear. You never know where it is going to land and what will result from shooting fireworks out.”

Worcester police say the number of reported gunshots cleared as fireworks have more than doubled from previous years.

Similar trends were seen in Boston, Brockton and Cambridge.

The question now, why such large increases?

"People have been trapped in their home for many months now and it’s very easy to take a ride up to New Hampshire or any other state besides Massachusetts," said Warnick.

"I think a lot of it is due to the COVID lockdown," said Murtha. "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."

Plus, when one person does it, their neighbors do too. That’s why police say they are increasing patrols and targeting neighborhoods with the most complaints.

"It puts officers in a tough spot there was a group of 150 to 200 people doing fireworks last week and our officers are not gonna go in and arrest 200 people," said Warnick. "So we are looking for cooperation from the community as much as possible."

The sale of fireworks may result in a fine up to $1,000 and a maximum of 1 year in prison while possession and use may result in a fine up to $100 and confiscation.

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