West
Trenton, N.J. - The traditions of parades,
cookouts, and fireworks help us celebrate
the summer season, especially our nation's
birthday on the Fourth of July. However,
a joyful celebration can turn into a painful
memory when children and adults are injured
while using fireworks. Each year emergency
rooms are full of patients who are injured
by illegal fireworks.
State troopers and other
law enforcement officers will be enforcing
the state’s laws to stem the flow
of illegal fireworks into New Jersey from
other states. It is a crime to sell, use,
and/or possess any kind of fireworks including
firecrackers, Roman candles, M80’s,
cherry bombs, salutes, and even sparklers
in New Jersey without a valid permit. In
any given year, the State Police confiscate
between 500 and 1,000 cases of illegal fireworks,
or approximately six to eight tons of illegal
explosives.
As in past years, fireworks
vendors from Pennsylvania have been soliciting
New Jersey residents by mail to purchase
fireworks. Police will be watching for motorists
who visit surrounding states to purchase
fireworks and transport them back to New
Jersey.
Possession of fireworks
is a disorderly persons offense, but possession
with the intent to sell is a fourth-degree
offense, with a possible maximum penalty
of 18 months imprisonment and fines up to
$10,000.
"Because safety is
our number one concern during Fourth of
July celebrations, we encourage New Jersey
residents to attend community fireworks
displays that are handled by professionals
with the appropriate permits," Attorney
General Paula Dow said.
"Illegal fireworks
will not be tolerated in New Jersey,"
stated Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent
of the New Jersey State Police. "The
vast majority of these dangerous items are
brought into our state by adults, but it
is children who suffer many of the injuries,"
Hearing and sight can be
permanently damaged when even a simple firecracker
goes off too close to a person’s head.
Larger charges such as M-80s can easily
remove fingers, or otherwise maim users.
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