Salem Wants Residents To Report Illegal Fireworks In The City

SALEM, MA — While Salem is inviting all residents to head down to Derby Wharf for this year's return of the traditional Fourth of July fireworks celebration on July 2, the city is warning residents of harsh fines and possible jail time for using or selling illegal fireworks at their homes.

City officials said on Monday that it will enforce maximum penalties against those who use or sell illegal fireworks, and have set up multiple channels for residents to report illegal firework use in their neighborhood.

The penalty for possession, use or cause to explode fireworks is $300 per offense with mandatory seizure of the fireworks.

The penalty for sale of illegal fireworks is a fine of up to $1,000, up to a year in prison and mandatory seizure of fireworks.

The city is asking residents to report illegal fireworks online here or by calling Salem fire at 978-744-1234 or Salem police at 978-744-1212.

Those who feel unsafe because of nearby fireworks should call 9-1-1.

(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.)