Expanded targeted fire interventions, public education campaign, anonymous reporting tool, and increased fines
Salem, Massachusetts – Like many communities in Massachusetts, the City of Salem has experienced an increased volume of illegal fireworks complaints in the last several days. Not only are fireworks disruptive, they can cause real harm to children, seniors, those living with trauma, and pets, not to mention posing a safety hazard to those nearby when they are detonated and an increased risk of accidental fire. To more effectively curb the detonation of illegal fireworks, the City of Salem will be taking the following steps:
Public education campaign
The City will begin posting informational signage in English and Spanish throughout the City warning about the dangers of illegal fireworks and the potential fines that violators may face for detonating them.
Anonymous reporting tool
Residents can use the form at www.salem.com/fireworks to report an instance of illegal fireworks and to view a crowd-sourced map of others’ reports. Reports can be made anonymously. City officials will use the data to plan targeted fire patrols.
Targeted fire interventions
Salem public safety officials will conduct targeted interventions of locations identified as problematic for illegal fireworks, at the times most often reported. While ticketing of offenders and confiscation of illegal fireworks will take place, the primary goal of these patrols is to provide public information about the hazard of illegal fireworks.
Increased local fines
Mayor Kim Driscoll will file an ordinance with the City Council at their next meeting, on June 25th, to triple the fines for the detonation of illegal fireworks, from the current $100 up to $300.
