LYNN — Although the exact statistics aren’t clear, residents, city officials and police agree that there’s been a “significant increase” in fireworks throughout the city this year.
Some residents say fireworks, although illegal in Massachusetts, have become a near-nightly occurrence in their neighborhoods, and it has affected their quality of life.
Not only are residents losing sleep, but several reported the explosive sounds from the fireworks have been traumatizing for their pets and young children.
Others are concerned about potential property damage and house fires from the constant fireworks in densely populated neighborhoods.
“We’ve been under siege at night with these fireworks,” said Rodney Bernardin, who lives on Roseville Square. “They’re shooting them off right over my house. I come out of my house and it’s like the Fourth of July.”
Charles Self, 64, said West Neptune Street,
where he lives, “seems like the epicenter” for fireworks in the city.
“It feels like you’re under attack and it’s all night long,” Self said. “They sound like cannons going off. It keeps you up at night. You can’t keep your windows open. It’s definitely a quality of life issue.”
The large uptick in fireworks this year prompted a safety advisory from the Lynn Police Department and Mayor Thomas M. McGee on Monday. And several city councilors started placing lawn signs in some hard-hit parts of the city this past weekend that bear a message reminding residents that fireworks are illegal and that they should be respectful of their neighbors.
“This year we have seen a substantial increase in fireworks complaints in the city of Lynn,” said McGee in a statement. “The number of fireworks complaints have begun earlier and are occurring at a much higher rate than we have seen in previous years. Residents in our community are adversely affected by the fireworks and experience real distress over extreme noise.
“This is especially true for elders, families with small children or pets, veterans or others who may suffer from PTSD.”
In his statement, McGee reminded residents that use of fireworks by private citizens is illegal in Massachusetts, and in accordance with state law, anyone found with fireworks by a law enforcement official is subject to a fine and their fireworks will be seized.
Citizens are subject to a fine between $100-$1,000 and up to one year of imprisonment for the sale of fireworks and a fine up to $100 for the possession or use of fireworks. The seizure of fireworks is mandatory, according to the Massachusetts Fireworks Law.
“The improper use of illegal fireworks has caused critical injuries and led to severe house fires in our city in the past,” said McGee. “Lynn is a very densely populated community and there is great danger where residents light off fireworks in heavily settled neighborhoods. The safety of the people of Lynn is our main concern.
“Do not set off fireworks. Residents using fireworks continue to endanger our community by engaging in an activity that is strictly prohibited under Massachusetts law.”
Lynn Police Lt. Michael Kmiec said the department has seen a significant increase in the amount of fireworks complaints from residents this year. Over the past two weeks especially, there’s been a dramatic increase, he said.
The basic complaints from residents are that it’s a “quality of life issue,” said Kmiec, with people saying that others are lighting off fireworks past 1 a.m. when they’re trying to get some sleep.
“It’s one of those things where it’s not really arrestable,” said Kmiec. “It’s just one of those things where people are calling. Sometimes they’re over by the time we get to that area. There haven’t been any major issues.
“We’re trying to get the message out here that they are illegal, you shouldn’t be doing them but also be courteous to the people in your neighborhoods.”
After fielding so many complaints from their constituents, City Councilors Fred Hogan, Brian LaPierre and Rick Starbard each pitched in a couple hundred dollars to purchase 50 lawn signs that they hope will deter some people from setting off fireworks.
The city councilors started placing the signs, which read “No Illegal Fireworks. Lynn Respects our Neighbors” in certain parts of the city that seem to be drawing a large amount of nightly firework activity this past weekend.
Hogan said Starbard reached out to the Lynn Police Department to get a sense of where the majority of fireworks were coming from. In Ward 6, Hogan said he’s placed signs at key locations such as the Lynn Tech Fieldhouse, Bennett Street Playground, St. Stephen’s Church parking lot, and St. Michael’s Hall.
“We’re loaded with illegal fireworks this year,” said Hogan. “We understand people do them on the third and fourth of July, but they started in May. A lot of my elderly constituents have reached out to me. A lot of people with pets and small children reached out. We thought (we could start) with signs and work with Lynn Police to calm things down.”
Hogan said the fireworks seem to be more “heavy duty” this year and that may stem from people who are taking advantage of fireworks sales in nearby New Hampshire.
The uptick in fireworks seems to be an issue throughout Massachusetts this year, Hogan said.
Starbard, who represents Ward 2, said he can hear fireworks on both the Lynn and Peabody side of his residence. As a Revere business owner, he said he also sees fireworks complaints all over the Nextdoor app he follows for that community.
Starbard attributes the uptick in fireworks use to people not having much else to do. Businesses and other forms of entertainment have been closed due to the coronavirus, for example.
There’s always a huge uptick in fireworks near the Fourth of July, but people have had a two-month head start this year, Starbard said
In addition to being a nuisance for residents and causing a “crazy amount of stress” to their animals, Starbard said the fireworks are also a fire hazard. For instance, he cited a large brush fire at Frog Pond earlier this month that was caused by illegal fireworks.
“So many disrespectful people have no respect for their neighbors, whether it’s fireworks or backyard parties, blasting music,” said Starbard. “It’s zero regard for the people who live around you.”
The hope with the signs, Starbard said, is they get people to stop to think about their neighbors and dogs before lighting off fireworks in their neighborhoods.
“I would think if you’re a decent person and saw this on someone’s lawn you wouldn’t set it off,” said Starbard. “I’m not so naive that I think it will solve the problem but I hope it will deter it to a degree.”
Bernardin, 49, said his dog, a 14-year-old beagle, is “deathly fearful” of the fireworks. Some of them sound like gunshots and bombs, he said.
One Ward 6 resident, who asked not to be identified, said her dog is “off the wall” from the fireworks. She said her dog has never been affected to this degree, and she’s also been feeling especially anxious from the constant fireworks. She never has to take much medicine, but said she recently had to call her doctor for a refill in her anxiety medication.
Bernardin spent part of Monday cleaning up fireworks residue from his porch that stemmed from another neighborhood display on Sunday night. Throughout that ordeal, he could see and hear the debris falling on top of his house.
“I’m fearful for my property,” said Bernardin. “It’s just cat and mouse with these people. They don’t understand how bad this thing sounds and the ramifications afterwards. It’s a 5-minute thrill for them but it’s a lot more so when you’re in your house and hearing it.”