Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
"Today, members of New York City's law enforcement community are teaming up with some of the City's leading doctors to urge anyone thinking of using illegal fireworks this Fourth of July holiday not to," Mayor Giuliani said. "Fireworks are not toys -- they can kill or maim. Every year, thousands of Americans suffer serious fireworks related injuries. Illegal fireworks are extremely dangerous and we must do all we can to keep them out of the hands of young people.
"In New York City, however, people seem to be getting the message," the Mayor continued. "Since 1995, serious fireworks related injuries have been reduced by 64 percent. As the doctors at Bellevue Hospital can attest to, the emergency room is a far quieter place on July 4th. The Police and Fire Departments will continue their joint efforts to keep fireworks off the streets. This year, the Task Force is finding fewer and fewer fireworks available for sale. Over the next few weeks, New York's Finest and New York's Bravest will step up their efforts to ensure that this Fourth of July is one of the safest in memory."
Fire Commissioner Von Essen said, "Once again, as a result of the Mayor's initiative serious fireworks related injuries have declined. Working together with the Police Department, we hope to exceed last years goal and have fewer citizens injured."
First Deputy Police Commissioner Kelleher said, "Working together, we have improved the City's safety record, reducing fireworks accidents to the lowest levels in decades. The New York City Police Department will continue this joint interdiction effort with the Fire Department to keep the City's residents, especially children, safe."
Last year, the Fire Department's Bureau of Emergency Medical Services treated 20 serious fireworks related injuries, a 64 percent decline (56 injuries) from 1995. This was a 47 percent reduction from 1996, when there were 38 serious injuries. So far in 1998, the FDNY reports eight serious fireworks related injuries. Last year at this time, there were nine reported fireworks injuries.
Mayor Giuliani formed the Joint Task Force in 1995 to eliminate the trafficking of illegal fireworks and to educate the public about the dangers of fireworks. For the fourth straight year, the Police and Fire Departments have come together in a comprehensive program aimed at eliminating the sale and use of illegal fireworks and explosives.
Last year, the Task Force confiscated more than 27,697 cases of illegal fireworks, nearly tripling the amount seized in 1996 (9,879 cases). This year, the Task Force has seized 3,338 cases of illegal fireworks. Illegal fireworks dealers wary of the financial risks of having their contraband confiscated, are staying out of the New York City marketplace.
New Yorkers with information about illegal fireworks are asked to call the Illegal Fireworks Hotline at 800-FIRE-TIP or 800-347-3847. All calls will be kept confidential.