Fireworks scofflaws took a holiday this past Fourth

Rochester Police fireworks calls were way down this year, in part, thanks to education, police say. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - After four years of fireworks enforcement headaches Rochester Police were happy to see the number of offenses fizzle this past Independence Day weekend.
After 34 service calls between July 3-5 last year and a whopping 64 in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, fireworks calls dropped to just 11 this past three-day weekend, with no summons issued.
Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham, the department's public information officer, attributed the drop to education and outreach.
"I feel the decline in calls for service regarding these types of fireworks complaints is due to the education piece that has been communicated over the past few years by means of various PSAs," Pinkham said on Wednesday. "That also includes face to face conversations with people at the time of these complaints."
2020 was by far the worst year for fireworks enforcement, with 64 calls for service, resulting in the issuance of 15 summons for violating the city ordinance that has been in effect since 2017.
Meanwhile, the request for fireworks permits remains low.
There were 16 such permits requested last year and just 13 this year, this out of a population of 31,000.
The permits allows a resident to set of fireworks on private property between 6 p.m. and midnight on July 3 and 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on July 4.
The permit, which is offered through the city manager's office, costs $5 and must be obtained 15 days in advance of the display.