The Fourth of July celebrations are starting earlier than usual in the Bay Area.
Residents in San Francisco, San Jose, the Peninsula, Oakland, Richmond and more have all reported hearing explosives and even gunshots going off almost every night.
“It’s the worst I ever seen it in a lifetime,” Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo told KPIX-5. “Normally we would celebrate Fourth of July and we would shoot the fireworks off for three, four days. But now it’s become a habit that every night, from nine to three in the morning you’ll hear the fireworks.”
Bay Area police agencies have also received reports of illegal fireworks and people shooting guns into the air. Fireworks were set off on Oakland’s Grand Avenue this past weekend.
Many residents have complained of the noise disturbing their sleep, children and pets. And it is not limited to the Bay Area; illegal fireworks activity has been reported in New York City and other parts of the country as well.
It is not clear exactly what is contributing to the increase, but theories include quarantine-related boredom and defiance towards the police.
“The reality is our police and firefighters have a hands off attitude right now,” said Gallo, “But we’re at the beginning of the fire season.”
Oakland police say they will have more patrols as the holiday approaches. Those who are caught with fireworks can face up to $10,000 in fines or jail time.