No Summonses Issued For Illegal Fireworks In Berkeley: Police

BERKELEY, NJ — Berkeley police told Patch that no summonses were issued for illegal firework usage over the July 4th weekend.

In response to an inquiry by Patch, police said that no summonses were issued specifically from July 1 through July 4.

At a recent Township Council meeting, police encouraged residents to call if any usage of illegal fireworks was spotted. Aerial fireworks such as rockets and mortars are prohibited in New Jersey, but this does not stop residents from setting them off anyway.

Berkeley residents have complained not just about the noise aspect of the fireworks, but it affecting quality of life and causing safety issues as well. One resident described the fireworks as being "like a warzone on the water."

In 2020, fireworks were involved with an estimated 15,600 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments, according to the 2020 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Fireworks Annual Report.

The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety has warned of the dangers of using aerial fireworks, and of legal fireworks as well. State Fire Marshal Richard Mikutsky previously urged residents to attend public fireworks displays done by professionals, rather than doing them at home.

"If you use non-aerial and novelty fireworks like sparklers, please remember they are very dangerous and should always be handled with extreme caution. Sparklers account for roughly one-quarter of emergency room fireworks injuries. We recommend glow sticks for children, which glow in the dark and are a safe alternative to sparklers," Mikutsky said.