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During late-night hours, the sound of loud fireworks has echoed through many Chicago neighborhoods, resulting in a staggering increase in 911 calls. The city has received more than 7,000 911 calls for fireworks disturbances so far this year compared with only 842 last year during the same time frame, a 736% increase over the same period in 2019, according to data provided by the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

The numbers mirror increases in cities throughout the country, which those in the fireworks industry say can be traced to the cancellation of organized shows because of the pandemic. There has been a surge in complaints about fireworks in New York, Boston and Hartford, Connecticut. Residents of other cities, including Los Angeles and Baltimore, have taken to social media to vent their frustration. […]

Nationwide, the fireworks industry has seen an increase in sales as the coronavirus pandemic has led to the cancellation of many public fireworks displays.

You gotta wonder if those commercial fireworks are now finding their way to individual consumers. Some of the videos I’ve seen online are crazy.

* The Question: Have fireworks been a problem where you are? Tell us a story.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 1:53 pm

Comments

Other than an occasional accident causing bodily injuries to fireworks users, it really isn’t much of a problem.

Comment by "Old Timer Dem" Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 1:58 pm
I lived in the same Chicago neighborhood for close to 10 years and haven’t really noticed much of a difference this year. More frequent but haven’t seen anything I would categorize as commercial.

I did go to a friend’s family’s 4th of July celebration a few years ago and one of the larger ones fell over and shot into the group of people. Luckily no one got hurt, but after that I’ve decided it best to enjoy from a distance.

Comment by twowaystreet Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:00 pm
I’m in Chicago, near the U of C. The other night, the noise from fireworks started just after dark and continued without any let-up into the wee hours of the morning.

On the other hand, that’s the only night it’s been a problem.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:02 pm
I’m a few mi!es east of Springfield and haven’t noticed any unusual uptick. My son is a police officer in a neighboring state and they deal with it every night.

Comment by Birds on the Bat Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:02 pm
Fireworks have been a problem here for years. I can usually tune them out, but my dog is petrified of them and so are my friends’ dogs.

People shoot off aerial rockets and Roman candles during very dry weather, occasionally starting a small fire.

I don’t know what the current law is on fireworks, but I never read anything in the newspaper about Streator people getting tickets.

In the summer when people sleep with their windows open, fireworks get pretty obnoxious by 2 a.m.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:09 pm
Northwest Side of Chicago, between Avondale and Albany Park. Fireworks go off most nights and then for several hours on the weekends. It is annoying to say the least. When I want ’splosions during my quarantined evenings, I simply watch an action movie on my television. Wish others did as well.

Comment by Ace Laredo Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:10 pm
There has been a very noticeable increase in fireworks in our area. It hasn’t been a problem, per se, but our dog may disagree with me.

Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:12 pm
Here is Evanston it is crazy. Way more than usual. Doesn’t bother me but the poor dog goes nuts.

Comment by Paddyrollingstone Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:13 pm
Yes. Live near one of Springfield’s numerous “villages,” one seemingly without a full-time police department, and nightly it sounds like 1970s Beirut … .

Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:16 pm
Is it more fireworks or could it be more folks home to take notice?

Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:21 pm
Not particularly yet but Pantagraph ran article they will be looking out for offenders. I did learn that it drives dogs crazy. I took my dog in to Vet for routine yearly shots and he was telling me this time of the year he gets request for tranquilizers. Apparently many dogs getting really upset and crazy with fireworks.

I guess I am pretty lucky my dog tends to do real well but she needs them for grooming. THe problem with fireworks is that usually someone gets hurt and they can be dangerous. My thought is why take a chance.

Comment by cler dec Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:22 pm
I haven’t heard many fireworks, but I have heard thousands more rounds of ammo being shot during this time period.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:24 pm
Complaints are way up in NYC, Boston, DC - see “Why it feels like there are a lot more fireworks this year” on Vox.com. Not sure how much more broadly this has spread.

Comment by Hush Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:26 pm
I like to think what I am hearing is fireworks.

Comment by Reggaeman Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:30 pm
The Blessed Sacrament neighborhood where I live has had a few, but not a big deal so far.

The Harvard Park neighborhood where one brother-in-law lives has had a BIG problem this year with lots of fireworks starting about 8 or 9 pm and going past midnight sometimes. We even hear part of it off in the distance. Cop can’t seem to stop it. As much as they are shooting off, I have to wonder where they are getting all the money they are burning up.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:38 pm
== I like to think what I am hearing is fireworks ==

If you’ve spent much time around firearms, gun fire and fireworks are distinctly different sounds.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:40 pm
I’m in Berwyn, and we get fireworks seemingly all year round (May for cinco, Jan for new year, December for holidays, etc.) but there do seem to be more of them this year.

I don’t mind and since it’s constitutional to carry and use real armaments, I have no problem with fireworks (as long as people act like they have a brain). My 40 lb dog, on the other hand, is spending lots of time on my lap quivering.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:40 pm
It’s always bad, but this year I think the city is somewhat quieter than normal so the fireworks seem louder.

I’ve given up calling 911 for fireworks. I’ve called 911 when I’ve heard actual gun shots and they don’t take that as seriously as I’d like. No follow-up, nothing. Yes, maybe they log the complaint, but there are no longer any patrols in my “safe” neighborhood, and no cops are going to bother looking into fireworks complaints.

Just another crappy summer tradition that the city leaves us on our own to solve. This year doesn’t seem special in that regard.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:44 pm
Heavy in northeast Springpatch. Been going on more than a month so we don’t attribute it to the cancellation of July 4th events.

Comment by oneholeoff Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:47 pm
I’m probably near Ace Laredo but I’m in Mayfair near the 017 CPD building. Usually fireworks are first week of July but started this past weekend and have been going every night. It’s annoying but I wouldn’t call the cops on it. I’m not sure why folks like seeing/hearing these things expolde, and after a certain point I’d think there are diminishing returns.

Comment by Jose Abreu's Next Homer Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:50 pm
We’ve heard nothing but a few distant pops, but lately Nextdoor has been full of complaints about fireworks and explosions. Some people report they’ve phoned the police and been told citations are being issued.

Comment by yinn Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:50 pm
Being surrounded by states where fireworks are legal plus no fireworks shows equals a good year for fireworks stands close to the state line.

Comment by Captain Who Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 2:51 pm
‘Merica. Home of the brave and land of the fingerless

Comment by J Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 3:15 pm
Haven’t had to travel on 294/80-94 of late. Are the proliferation of Krazy Kaplan billboards in place? Last year I counted 34 southbound from 95th Street into Indiana.

Comment by bogey golfer Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 3:15 pm
Definitely noticing more in the neighborhood I live in.

Seems like they’re starting earlier this year, and more folks doing it.

But at least they seem to stop around 11 p.m. most nights.

Comment by Lynn S. Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 3:28 pm
Folks around here must be hoarding their stock for the 4th of July. Four or five neighbors try to outdo each other after every Cardinals and Blues victory.

Comment by Enemy of the State Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 3:41 pm
Someone brought up the point about things being quieter, so maybe we notice them more now, and I think that is valid, especially in denser areas. I was out in a friend’s yard near O’Hare last week and couldn’t figure out what I thought was “off”. He pointed out how significantly fewer airplanes were flying over head and it kind of blew my mind. Totally different than usual out there.
Finally, I live near the Kennedy…..nothing but super loud groups of motorcycles zooming by all day and night every day and night. Used to only be Sunday nights around 10 pm. Now it’s always.

Comment by Ace Laredo Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 3:47 pm
Everyone thinks it’s so “Karen” to complain about fireworks, and I can’t say I’ve called in to complain. However, I’d still like to speak to a manager about it.

Comment by I Live Here Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 3:48 pm
The Cobras at Maplewood and Potomac in Chicago used to put on a fireworks show for their “constituents.”

Comment by Muddy trail Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 3:51 pm
I’m hearing what sounds like Navy Pier fireworks, but it’s the wrong nights and anyhow, there are no Navy Pier fireworks this year.
Lately, it sounds like fireworks and firecrackers.
I usually hear a lot of firecrackers in the days leading up to the Fourth, but this has been going on for weeks.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 3:51 pm
There has been a significant increase in fireworks this year coming from Lincoln Park neighborhood. My complaint is I don’t see any actual fireworks, its just loud bangs with smoke.

Comment by City Guy Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 4:07 pm
@City Guy
Right. I’m in Lincoln Park, too.
But, I don’t see any smoke.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 4:15 pm
not near where I live, but on line read a story about fireworks being shot off from the back of a pickup truck. the truck just moves after a few explosions so if people call the police, the folks are gone. everyone I know says the problem is much worse and not because they are home more.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 4:33 pm
I am not really hearing anything but I am a heavy sleeper–my spouse would probably say that my snoring drowns out any fireworks, even the really loud ones.

Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 5:22 pm
NW Chicago. Definitely higher quality fireworks this year. Gonna be a long 2 weeks.

Comment by Original Rambler Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 5:58 pm
=== Are the proliferation of Krazy Kaplan billboards in place===
The answer is yes. They must take in millions just during June alone to be able to spend that much on advertising.
And as somebody referenced earlier fireworks are not cheap so there is a lot of money going up in smoke. I guess spending is good for the economy but I don’t know how many are made in the US.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 6:27 pm
I still haven’t heard one.

I think the boys who used to buy their fireworks with a munitions license must have moved away.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 7:18 pm
I’ve heard the increase is due to online sales of fireworks. Going to get much worse as more and more kids spread the word.

Comment by LastOneIn Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 8:26 pm
This is my first year in Aurora, but there are definitely more than anywhere else I’ve lived.

Most nights starting about a week ago, usually for at least a couple of hours per event.

Comment by Odysseus Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 9:01 pm
>>NW Chicago. Definitely higher quality fireworks this year. Gonna be a long 2 weeks.

Comment by HCMcB4 Tuesday, Jun 23, 20 @ 11:47 pm
I’m in Skokie and it’s seems everytime someone right down the alley shoots off a firework then one goes off further away in another neighborhood almost like some type of communication or signal and this happens at all types of hours in the day and or night not just in the month of June although it’s been happening more frequently but I been hearing them ever since I moved here a year ago and what I was told it is drug related, means a large quantity of drugs have been received, which makes sense in my neighborhood.

Comment by Nessa Wednesday, Jun 24, 20 @ 10:02 pm
I am around the Park Ridge and it’s exactly like she said when one firework is fired, theres ALWAYS another somewhere else that follows, it’s definitely not because the 4th of July is coming up.

Comment by Communityword Wednesday, Jun 24, 20 @ 10:17 pm