Cracking Down on Illegal Aerial Fireworks
Resolution Proposed to Eliminate Sales & Penalize Vendors in RI
Providence, RI - At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) proposed a resolution calling on the State of Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation to begin enforcement actions against any businesses selling illegal aerial fireworks.
“Providence neighborhoods have been terrorized by the illegal use of fireworks for several summers now. That is why in the early summer of 2020, I convened a group of city stakeholders to discuss this quality of life nuisance and identified three main areas that needed to be addressed: public education on what is and isn’t legal; licensing enforcement for businesses that are illegally selling fireworks; and a coordinated effort by public safety officials to focus on hot spots or problematic areas. As a result of the diligent efforts of the Fireworks Task Force, over the past few years, the city was able to make a significant reduction in the use of illegal fireworks that had been disrupting and endangering our neighborhoods,” Ryan said.
“I look forward to building on this progress as we head into another summer, and I thank our local law enforcement and fire officials for their work every day to maintain the quality of life and public safety of our community. I am now calling on DBR to follow our lead and do what they can to mitigate another component of this issue; the illegal sale of fireworks,” said Ryan.
In Rhode Island, ground-based fireworks and sparklers are legal, but aerial fireworks and anything that explodes are not allowed without a permit. There are businesses throughout the state and within the City of Providence that is currently offering illegal fireworks for sale to the public. The Department of Business Regulation has the authority to take enforcement action against any business entity selling illegal fireworks.
To report the use of illegal fireworks in Providence (or to file a complaint), call the Providence Police Department’s non-emergency line (401) 272-3121 or use its online reporting system.