City police keeping fingers crossed on fireworks front

If you don't have a permit, you can't touch this! (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police are hoping that fireworks scofflaws got the message last Fourth of July when over a four-day holiday weekend 14 residents were summonsed for violation of the city's fireworks ordinance passed in February 2017.

Rochester Police Capt. Jason Thomas said on Thursday he couldn't recall one summons thus far this year, and there's been less than a handful of complaints in recent weeks as noted on police activity logs.

Last Fourth of July police responded to 18 calls in one day, which took a tremendous amount of manpower Thomas said at the time.

Over the four-day weekend police responded to 72 fireworks calls or complaints.

And on last year's Fourth of July, a Tuesday, 11 fireworks complaint calls came in in less than an hour. Of those, nine ended with negative contact, while two were summonsed and were subject to up to a $100 fine.

Rochester fireworks aren't banned for the Fourth of July, just regulated. For $5 residents can apply for a permit and set them off legally. The permit must be secured 15 days prior to the holiday.

Last year only nine residents applied. Calls to Rochester's Fire Department to find out how many permits were issued this year were not returned on Friday.

Those who secure the permits may set off the pyrotechnics on July 3 and 4 between 6 p.m.-midnight.

Those who violate the ordinance are subject to a fine of up to $100.