MINEOLA, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Complaints over illegal fireworks have jumped exponentially in Nassau County, where police reminded residents about how dangerous the pyrotechnics can be.
Nassau Police on Thursday conducted a demonstration in which fireworks abruptly exploded inside a backpack.
Video recorded by WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall showed the backpack exploding into the air as a puff of white smoke engulfed a ball field where the test was done.
Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder then explained to residents that, if that backpack had been on somebody’s person, they would die.
“The most dangerous and number one injury that comes to kids is sparklers, if you look at the ones like this year, that is consumer grade,” he explains. “This will blow your arm off, this will blow your hand off, this will kill your neighbor.”
The complains in the county have jumped 400% this year as compared to 2019.
“When you shoot fireworks off and we come into your community, when we get there, the fireworks at done. Everybody stands back, they pick up their drink and they stand in the yard like nothing happened,” Ryder said. “It's time for people to be responsible and act like adults. If your kid’s carrying one of these things and walking down a street or if this goes off and in the street, you're gonna kill somebody.”
People with PTSD are also affected by the loud noises, along with wildlife and pets.
Ryder says anyone with a firework will be arrested.