Yonkers, NY – The Yonkers Police Department is cracking down on illegal firework activity. During two separate investigations, the YPD seized upwards of $3,500 worth of illegal and dangerous fireworks.

The Yonkers Police Department received an anonymous complaint through the City’s tip line regarding a specific location that was storing and selling large amounts of illegal fireworks. On Monday June 22nd, Yonkers Police, while working in conjunction with the Yonkers Fire Department and City Building Inspectors, initiated an investigation.

Upon arrival, responding patrol units observed there to be numerous empty firework boxes discarded in the trash and strewn about the immediate area. Detectives from the Major Case Unit arrived on the scene and, along with YFD and City Building Inspectors, were able to determine that the occupant of the southwest Yonkers apartment was in fact storing large amounts of illegal and dangerous fireworks. Detectives from the Crime Scene Unit arrived and processed the scene.

With the assistance of the Westchester County Bomb Squad, the fireworks were safely seized and the occupant of the apartment, who is identified as a 31 year old Yonkers resident, was detained pending further investigation. The fireworks are believed to be worth in excess of $3,000.

Yesterday evening at approximately 8:30 PM, Gang Unit Detectives were on patrol in the area of Riverview Place and conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle. An investigation was commenced which revealed that the occupant of the vehicle was in possession of an assortment of illegal fireworks believed to cost several hundred dollars. The fireworks were seized and the violator was issued a summons for possession.

The Yonkers Police Department has been conducting daily patrol details that are specifically designed to combat illegal firework activity. Patrol Officers are addressing these complaints by issuing City Ordinance Violation summonses, which require the violator to appear in court at a later date.

Police Commissioner John J. Mueller stated, “Possession, storage, sale and transport of fireworks is illegal in the City of Yonkers. While NYS did pass a law for permissible uses of some fireworks, Westchester County and Yonkers, did not participate, and have opted out of this law. The use of any fireworks in Yonkers is illegal. If used improperly, fireworks can be extremely dangerous and put members of the public at substantial risk for personal injury or property damage. Emergency room statistics for injuries put children at a higher risk for injury. Yonkers is a densely populated city and as such, make the use of fireworks all the more dangerous. The Yonkers Police Department remains steadfast in our efforts to promote and maintain public safety. Please help us keeping everyone safe by not purchasing or using fireworks anywhere in the City of Yonkers”.

The law prohibiting any fireworks with respect to the City of Yonkers can be found in the following link from the New York State Department of Homeland Security: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc/news/sparklingdevices.cfm​ 

Mayor Mike Spano stated, “Job well done by our Yonkers Police, Fire and Buildings departments for cracking down on a seemingly growing issue this summer,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “Like many of our neighboring communities, Yonkers has seen an increase of illegal fireworks use which is not only unlawful and dangerous, but is disruptive to nearby residents. Let these recent seizures of fireworks be a warning to others -- Yonkers will not tolerate the illegal use of fireworks. We will continue to maintain the safety and well-being of our city”.

Members of the public are encouraged to report illegal firework activity to our non-emergency line at (914) 377-7900 or send us an anonymous tip by texting YPD plus your tip to 847411.

Alert sent on 06/23/2020 at 11:03AM EDT

Fireworks (1)	Fireworks (2)

Fireworks (3)	Fireworks (4)

Additional Information

Attachment: Download Press Release 2020-0008

To submit a tip via text message text YPDinactive and your tip to 847411

Alert delivered to the following groups: Yonkers Police Dept, Yonkers Police - Business Alerts, Yonkers Police - Press Releases, Yonkers Police - 2nd Precinct, Yonkers Police - 1st Precinct, Yonkers Police - 3rd Precinct, and Yonkers Police - 4th Precinct

Link to Agency