In the US, the number of complaints about fireworks has risen sharply: people take them for explosions

Fireworks complaints have skyrocketed in New York, San Francisco and - by 600% - in Milwaukee. What's happening? Writes about this USA Today.

Photo: Shutterstock

On Monday, June 29, Macy's announced that it would launch fireworks from unnamed locations in New York this week, ending a month filled with unexplained use of fireworks and growing complaints throughout the United States.

Without naming specific locations, Macy's spokeswoman Orlando Veras said the company would be able to "mitigate the crowds in anticipation of the show."

But this announcement followed an increase in the number of complaints about fireworks in New York, where the number of complaints rose to 13 in June 109 compared to 2020 in June last year, ABC News reported.

New York is not alone.

The number of complaints jumped sharply in Boston, where Mayor Marty Walsh reported 7 calls as of June 844. San Francisco received 24 complaints as of June 2233, local media reported.

In Milwaukee, complaints of fireworks grew by more than 600%, as people report hearing periodic small explosions.

"Oddly enough, this happened every night," said Milwaukee local government spokesman Bob Bauman. — They were launched in several places. All this was done by amateurs, because there were no official fireworks.”

An increase in the number of complaints about fireworks may be due to an increase in sales.

Commissioner Dana Bayokko, who works for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said she had contacted several firework merchants associations and was told that consumer fireworks sales had "definitely increased."

On the subject: Grand Independence Day sales that have already begun

William Weimer, vice president of Phantom Fireworks, said that despite quarantine until the end of May, at the beginning of the season there were the largest sales ever to occur in the company's history.

A surge of fireworks caused a stir in social networks: given the frequency and intensity of fireworks, combined with the growth of protests against police brutality over the course of a month, some users are suspicious of such fireworks.

One theory that gained widespread attention on social media suggested that the fireworks were “a coordinated attack on black communities by government forces; an attack aimed at disorienting and destabilizing the #BlackLivesMatter movement.”

However, the sales boom began about two weeks before the protests, Weimer said, refuting such a theory.

Although laws on the sale and ownership of fireworks vary widely from state to state, professional-level fireworks can only be purchased with a license, and usually only special equipment can be used to launch them.

Weimer linked the peak of sales with three factors: people tend to get out of their homes, they have “nothing to do,” and many municipal shows were canceled.

“People are eager to get out and do something,” Weimer said. “There just aren’t a lot of opportunities to participate in events, and fireworks are fun.” If used safely and correctly, they can provide a lot of fun, good, wholesome family entertainment.”

On the subject: USA Independence Day: Holiday History and Traditions

While Macy's acknowledged concerns about illegal fireworks, Veras said that "our products are authorized and manufactured in collaboration with a number of security and guard services, as well as with the city of New York."

“Fireworks will be launched from local waterways or buildings at significant central locations throughout the five boroughs. Also, the shows will only be five minutes long and will be launched at appropriate times in the evening rather than late hours,” he said.

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