DAVID. GOOD AFTERNOON, JESSICA. WE SPOKE TO THE FIREWORKS STOREOWNER, THEY ARE BRING BACK A CLASSIC TECHNIQUE KNOWN AS THE STAKEOUT. DAVID: OUTSIDE THIS FIREWORKS STORE IN SEABROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE CARS HAVE MASSACHUSETTS LICENSE PLATES. >> I PROBABLY PLAN TO GET ABOUT $200-$250 WORTH OF FIREWORKS. DAVID: THIS MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENT SAYS THIS TIME HE’LL BE TAKING THE FIREWORKS TO MAINE WHERE THEY ARE LEGAL. BUT HE SAYS SOMETIMES HE’S BRINGS THEM BACK TO MASSACHUSETTS WHERE THEY ARE TOTALLY BANNED. BIENICK: DID IT MAKE YOU A LITTLE NERVOUS? >> OH YEAH, OF COURSE. CAUSE YOU DON’T WANT TO GET FINED. YOU DON’T WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE. YOU DON’T WANT TO GET ON ANYBODY’S LIST. DAVID: THE STORE MANAGER SAYS LAST WEEKEND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ABOUT 10 YEARS. SHE NOTICED MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE OFFICIALS VIDEOTAPING CUSTOMERS IN THE PARKING LOT AND WRITING DOWN LICENSE PLATES. >> I’M VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT OUR FIREWORK EXPLOSION INVESTIGATION UNIT DOES. DAVID: A FEW DAYS LATER, STATE POLICE RECENTLY SHOWED OFF MORE THAN 2200 FIREWORKS THEY SAY THEY SEIZED COMING FROM OUT OF STATE. EIGHTEEN PEOPLE ARE NOW FACING CHARGES. >> THE USE OF THOSE FIREWORKS, IT IMPACTS FAMILY PETS. IT IMPACTS VETERANS SUFFERING FROM PTSD. AND IT IMPACTS FAMILIES THAT ARE TRYING TO PUT KIDS TO BED AT A REASONABLE TIME. UNDER STATE LAW, PEOPLE WHO SELL FIREWORKS CAN BE FINED UP TO $1,000 AND ISN’T TO 6:00 JAIL FOR UP TO A YEAR. PEOPLE WHO POSSESS FIREWORKS CAN BE FINED UP TO $100 DOLLARS, BUT NO JAIL. THE STORE MANAGER IN SEABROOK SAYS SO FAR THE CRACKDOWN DOESN’T SEEM TO BE KEEPING CUSTOMERS AWAY. >> WE HAVEN’T SEEN ANY BLOWBACK FROM THAT HERE. I MEAN WE HAVE LOTS OF CUSTOMERS THAT ARE HAPPY WHEN THEY COME IN AND THEY’RE HAPPY WHEN THEY LEAVE. SO WE HAVEN’T SEEN ANY IMPACT, REALLY. DAVID: SPARKLERS ARE NOT AL
Massachusetts State Police seize $28,000 in illegal fireworks ahead of July 4
Massachusetts State Police seized thousands of firecrackers in a pre-Fourth of July operation targeting the illegal importation of fireworks from out of state. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, State Police Troopers said they stopped several vehicles after crossing the border into Massachusetts.Eighteen people were issued a summons for the charge of illegal possession of fireworks over the three days and thousands of individual firecrackers were seized. State police said the total value of the seized fireworks was more than $28,000. Megan Kearns, manager of Phantom Fireworks in Seabrook, New Hampshire, said she saw several Massachusetts State Police officials taping video of customers and vehicles in the store’s parking lot over the weekend. Kearns said it was the most extensive surveillance she has seen in approximately a decade.”We haven’t seen any blowback from that here. I mean, we have lots of customers who are happy when they come in and they’re happy when they leave,” Kearns said. Fireworks are legal in New Hampshire but in 2020, Phantom Fireworks was ordered by the Massachusetts Attorney General to stop mailing advertisements across the border. Under state law, it is illegal to use, possess or sell fireworks in Massachusetts. It is also illegal to buy them elsewhere and bring them into the state.This ban includes sparklers, which burn hot enough to melt glass, officials point out.”There were 944 fires and explosions involving illegal fireworks in Massachusetts in the past 10 years,” according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. “These incidents caused 3 civilian injuries, 43 fire service injuries, and millions of dollars in damages.”While individuals are not allowed to possess or use fireworks, professionals are granted permits to conduct public shows. Dozens of fireworks shows are scheduled in Massachusetts through mid-July.
Massachusetts State Police seized thousands of firecrackers in a pre-Fourth of July operation targeting the illegal importation of fireworks from out of state.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, State Police Troopers said they stopped several vehicles after crossing the border into Massachusetts.
Eighteen people were issued a summons for the charge of illegal possession of fireworks over the three days and thousands of individual firecrackers were seized. State police said the total value of the seized fireworks was more than $28,000.
Megan Kearns, manager of Phantom Fireworks in Seabrook, New Hampshire, said she saw several Massachusetts State Police officials taping video of customers and vehicles in the store’s parking lot over the weekend. Kearns said it was the most extensive surveillance she has seen in approximately a decade.
“We haven’t seen any blowback from that here. I mean, we have lots of customers who are happy when they come in and they’re happy when they leave,” Kearns said.
Fireworks are legal in New Hampshire but in 2020, Phantom Fireworks was ordered by the Massachusetts Attorney General to stop mailing advertisements across the border.
Under state law, it is illegal to use, possess or sell fireworks in Massachusetts. It is also illegal to buy them elsewhere and bring them into the state.
This ban includes sparklers, which burn hot enough to melt glass, officials point out.
“There were 944 fires and explosions involving illegal fireworks in Massachusetts in the past 10 years,” according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. “These incidents caused 3 civilian injuries, 43 fire service injuries, and millions of dollars in damages.”
While individuals are not allowed to possess or use fireworks, professionals are granted permits to conduct public shows. Dozens of fireworks shows are scheduled in Massachusetts through mid-July.