Complaints of fireworks have skyrocketed throughout NYC this month. According to city data, there have now been over 2,500 fireworks complaints in June – compared to just 21 during June 2019.
Regardless of where you live – UWS or elsewhere – you’ve likely been hearing these loud booms almost every night, frequently lasting well past midnight.
City data also covers recent incidents which have been reported on the UWS. As of writing, the vast majority of incidents reported in the neighborhood have been within zip code 10025. There have been three reported incidents in 10024 and one reported incident in 10023. Zip code 10069 does not appear to show any reports at this time.
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There doesn’t seem to be a definitive answer to why its occurring. Some think its an extension of the recent protests, others believe it may be the result of cabin-fever and boredom. And many people are wondering how so many have gotten their hands on these illegal fireworks.
Increased complaints of fireworks have also been occurring outside of NYC, in locations including Boston and Syracuse.
We’ve reached out to people who live in all sections of the Upper West Side, and most have confirmed hearing many late night booms.
We’ve also sent inquiries to Linda Rosenthal, Helen Rosenthal and Gale Brewer, and have left a voicemail with the 20th Precinct.
As of now, we’ve heard back from the office of Helen Rosenthal; a representative stated that “This is happening across the city and it’s important that folks call their complaints into 311. The NYPD has to catch someone in the act of setting (off) fireworks, which is not an easy thing to do.”
In the meantime, if you’ve been having trouble sleeping and want to vent, please feel free to do so in the comments below. Or to submit a photo or video, please email us.
My poor dog is traumatized. Wish people would be more considerate.
500 water balloons and water buckets? Water flows down right?
Fireworks are not our major noise issue. Loitering, yelling at street level, and music on 10025 streets are. Open air speakers everywhere, including bikes, and backpacks? Boom boxes are so 70’s. #headphones! Central Park, the most beautiful ‘backyard’ in the world, is a couple of blocks away as is Riverside. Plenty of places to let go, turn up the tunes, and relax.
While always an NYC challenge, the noise increase this Spring is startling. Please continue to call #311 on street level noise that is not ‘normal’, raise problem areas to local precincts. They respond to increase in complaints in trouble areas! Be specific! #quietstreetsuws
I’m more concerned about the danger of shooting fireworks off near high rise apartments and trees. It’s been pretty dry this season, all the makings for a dangerous fire
I live in 10023 and we hear them every single night 🙂
10025 resident, yes in the past week, it is has been a nightly occurrence, it sounded like fireworks, but we were not sure … It is good to finally know what it is.
The boom boxes and the massive car speakers are prevalent, loitering and street-level yelling is getting worse, unfortunately noise pollution has dramatically increased.
10025, these firework shenanigans are going down every single night literally a couple of blocks from the 24th precinct and the cops are basically too scared or distracted to do anything.
We have called 311 and went to the Police Precinct on 100th Street. Residents are lighting off fireworks in the playground of the Frederick Douglas community in plain view at night. People are yelling down at them from the buildings. There is a sizable crowd lighting them off on the basketball courts plaza nightly. The police said that they will not do anything, because I quote, ‘We will not be appreciated…’ and ‘maybe you (me?!) should re-fund the police.’ I walked out feeling they were
blaming me for their sad reputation. As I walked out, I told them I was a medical front line worker they should be ashamed of themselves. My girlfriend calls 311 every night and nothing seems to get Linda Rosenthal or Gale Brewer’s attention. Again, you can see people gathering in the playground on 99th between Amsterdam and Columbus in plain view every night.
I’m a 10025 resident. I’ve called 311 twice in past 4 nights regarding the nightly BOOMs. I encourage everyone who hears, is annoyed by the firecrackers-fireworks to call. It’s a quick and easy call during the times of the loud noise. I’ve lost a lot of sleep ; I’m an essential hospital worker. So selfish of the people setting them off.
My windows face Queens. Since June 13, we have nightly fireworks in Queens. They move the fireworks to different place. Sometimes they last until 1 AM. They make loud noises.
PS I used to live on the West Side for 30 years.
I live in 10025 and it sound like a war zone at night. I imagine the police are quite busy, and reluctant to engage, due to COVID and other issues. And maybe they are participating in a bit of a work slowdown to protest the fact that they now have to be careful about beating up and shooting people.
The NYPD has to catch someone in the act of setting (off) fireworks, …thugs set off illegaal fireworks right in front of the firehouse on w 139 while firedfighters watched…I called cops with that bit of news… Officer said he would dispatch a patrol to the scene…so, you see where that got us…
I live in 10025 and a front line worker and have lost so much sleep due to this. It seems to get worse after 10 pm. This has to stop. If the police doesn’t want to do anything, we as a neighborhood need to get together to stop it.
It’s been nonstop fireworks going off in Central Harlem!!! Terrible! Keeping me up all night. I called 311 and they told me to call 911. I’m sure they have done nothing to about it. It’s been going on for hours now.
We hear them loud and clear at 97th and West End Ave. Also, the people who gather on the island benches on Broadway get quite drunk and loud. Recently I’ve notices several of them with these tube speakers with a shoulder strap that blast music. The cops are really laying off the “quality of life” issues. It’s probably out of spite.
10025 resident here too. At first I was concerned there was some “attack” or some dispute between authorities and a given group, which made it scary to think due to tense times we live in. Then I thought it was some type of celebration (like a pre-4thJuly). It sounds that is more random that anything else. If there was some level of agreement perhaps in time or schedule (if people would be coordinated) others could prepare, react and protect those with issues (pets, kids, elderly) and by doing so avoid the randomness of a community fire that could happen. Perhaps then it would be less controversial and become a more positive type of exercise to what it could it be now.
11206 11205 are no better. Its all over NYC with policy taking zero action! Black lives matter protest? HOw about kids sleep matters?
This is all due to the anti-law enforcement policies and messages sent out by mayor billy-boy scumbaggio and his corrupt thief of a “wife” (i.e the supposedly “former” lesbian). Their anti-broken windows anti-quality of life directives have clearly emboldened the criminal element. None of this nor the increased murder rate would be happening under the previous two mayors!
Dear Donald,
Thank you for your comment. Hope you have fun in Arizona today, and are very successful spreading COVID-19 to your fascist supporters.
Regards,
Joe
Oh he may NEVER make it back.Covid just blew sky high numbers.
Tonight in the lower west 90s from 11PM to almost 1 AM.
Dear Donald,
Thank you for your comment. Hope you have fun in Arizona today, and are very successful spreading COVID-19 to your fascist supporters.
Regards,
Joe