Peabody Police To Crack Down On Illegal Fireworks This July 4 Weekend

PEABODY, MA — Peabody residents will have several opportunities this weekend to visit neighboring communities and watch a July 4 fireworks celebration.

What they will not be able to do is buy illegal fireworks and fire them off themselves without risking a visit from the Peabody Police Department.

Police Chief Tom Griffin has pledged a crackdown on fireworks — which are illegal in Massachusetts —as the city looks to avoid injury and distress for animals and people who are averse to loud noises.

"Exploding fireworks poses a safety hazard and disturbance of the peace," Griffin said in a Peabody police social media post on Wednesday. "I will be instructing officers to diligently enforce the law to avert any potential problems and excessive disturbances.

"Please enjoy the holiday in a reasonable and responsible manner which will allow others to do so as well."

Salem is another North Shore city that said it will strictly enforce illegal fireworks laws and issue maximum penalties under state law for violators.

The penalty for possession, use or cause to explode fireworks is $300 per offense with the mandatory seizure of the fireworks. The penalty for the sale of illegal fireworks is a fine of up to $1,000, up to a year in prison and mandatory seizure of fireworks.

Salem has also set up a web portal where residents can anonymously report illegal fireworks use in their neighborhood.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)