Release #165-98

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Marilyn Mode (212) 374-6700 (NYPD)
Michael Regan (718) 999-2056 (FDNY)

MAYOR GIULIANI, POLICE COMMISSIONER SAFIR AND FIRE COMMISSIONER VON ESSEN ANNOUNCE CONTINUED CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL FIREWORKS

Last Year the Fireworks Interdiction Team Seized Over 27,000 Cases of Fireworks

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Police Commissioner Howard Safir and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen today announced the City's continued crackdown on illegal fireworks and warned New Yorkers of the dangers associated with their use. Last year, the Joint Police and Fire Department Fireworks Task Force seized 27,697 cases of fireworks, nearly tripling the amount confiscated in 1996.

"Over the last few years, the Police and Fire Departments have mounted a tremendous offensive to keep illegal fireworks out of New York City and to educate people on the dangers associated with their use," Mayor Giuliani said. "Thanks to their combined efforts, there have been far fewer fireworks related tragedies. However, everyone has not received this message. That is why we are announcing a continued crackdown on fireworks, that will keep this deadly contraband off our City streets. Fireworks are extremely dangerous and we must do everything we can to keep them out of the hands of young people. If you are thinking of transporting illegal fireworks into New York City, the Joint Fireworks Task Force will find you and arrest you."

Police Commissioner Safir said, "Together, we have improved the City's safety record -- reducing fireworks accidents to the lowest level in decades. The New York Police Department will continue its joint interdiction efforts with the Fire Department to keep the City's residents, particularly children, safe."

Fire Commissioner Von Essen said, "Since the creation of the Mayor's Joint Task Force in 1995, there has been a dramatic decrease both in the number of structural fires and the number of injuries related to fireworks. In 1997, structural fires dropped by 75 percent and injuries by 80 percent in comparison to figures for 1995. These reductions are a direct result of the intensive campaign waged by Mayor Giuliani and all participating agencies in cracking down on the use of illegal fireworks on City streets."

Fireworks Seized:

Year	Cases
1995	5,856
1996	9,879
1997	27,697

Fireworks Injuries Treated by FDNY:

Year	Cases
1995	56
1996	38
1997	11

New Yorkers with information about illegal fireworks are asked to call the Illegal Fireworks hotline at (800) FIRE-TIP.