Hoboken Police: Plague Of Late-Night Fireworks Has To Stop

HOBOKEN, NJ — Nobody knows why people have been setting off fireworks in Hoboken every night for almost two weeks. But it’s got to end – now, the city’s police chief says.

On Monday, Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante said that like other parts of the Tri-State area, the Mile Square City has been plagued by a constant barrage of late-night fireworks, which commonly take place between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Fireworks have been reported all over the city, but especially on the waterfront and along Sinatra Drive.

It’s a “major quality of life problem,” Ferrante said.

Ferrante said four possible theories have been floating around social media about why there’s been so many fireworks lately:

• “Support for protests”
• “Freedom of expression”
• “Teens and young adults releasing frustration for months of being stuck home due to the Covid-19 pandemic”
• “Police, fire and government doing it in retaliation of protests”

“No one knows for sure, but after dealing with this for the past 12 nights in Hoboken, I can assure our residents that police officers, firefighters nor government officials are setting off these fireworks in Hoboken,” Ferrante stated.

Whatever the reason for the late-night antics, they’re unacceptable and are causing headaches for the entire city of Hoboken, as well as its first responders, Ferrante said.

Now, after a hectic weekend dealing with fireworks-related calls, the Hoboken Police Department is prepared to take immediate steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again, he added.

Starting Monday night, a high-visibility deployment of officers began hitting the streets, looking for people setting off fireworks. They’ll also be looking out for other quality of life offenses, such as loud music and public drinking and urination in city parks, Ferrante said.

City ordinance summonses for disturbing the peace will be issued. Fines for that ordinance usually cost in the area of $500, Ferrante stated.

“I have also asked Mayor Ravi Bhalla and his administration as well as the City Council to consider putting forth legislation banning both the sale and the use of fireworks in the city,” Ferrante said.

Meanwhile, the Hoboken Fire Department will be assisting with inspections at stores to make sure they’re not selling illegal fireworks. State legislation in 2017, signed by then-Governor Chris Christie, legalized many forms of sparklers and fireworks but not all, the chief stated.

Anyone who wants to report fireworks being set off late at night can contact the Hoboken Police Department at 201-420-2100. Callers should contact police “as the conduct is occurring,” authorities said.

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