FRAMINGHAM – Although possessing and using fireworks in Massachusetts is illegal, Framingham Police have had an increase in fireworks complaint calls in the last 72 hours.
Yesterday, June 15, there were a dozen calls to the police department complaining about fireworks in the City.
And fireworks were likely to blame for a dumpster fire on Beaver Park Road last night, according to authorities.
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There have been 35 calls complaining about fireworks in the City of Framingham since Friday night, June 12.
There were only 10 complaint calls for fireworks between June 1-11.
Police are responding to the calls.
If police find an individual in possession of fireworks, they will confiscate them, said Framingham Police Lt. Patricia Grigas.
The use of fireworks by anyone who is not a licensed professional is against the law in Massachusetts.
Setting off fireworks in Massachusetts is a misdemeanor, punishable with a fine of no less than $10 and no more than $100 per firework.
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If caught, setting off fireworks police can also arrest and individual and charge them with disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct, also misdemeanor offenses.
On many of the calls Framingham Police receive, when they arrive at the location the individuals setting off the fireworks are typically gone, listed as (GOA) in the police log or gone on arrival.
“Residents should report the fireworks, but please be specific on details,” said Lt. Grigas.
For example, the fireworks are going off on near the “First Street neighborhood” or “I saw several individuals lighting fireworks at the xxxx Park on xxx Road.”
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Residents can make firework complaints by calling the non-emergency line at 508-872-1212.
Do not use the “seeitclickitfixit” app to report fireworks, as by the time the police receive it, it will likely be the next shift.
Framingham is not alone in the complaints about fireworks.
In a press conference last week, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said his police department has had a 2,300% increase in complaint calls.
Walsh said in May 2019, there were 27 complaint calls and in 2020, there were 600 complaint calls in May.
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Framingham Facebook groups are full of firework complaints, as the noise keeps families up late at night and terrifies pets.
The Humane Society of the United States said fireworks can “be terrifying and overwhelming for pets—and possibly hazardous.
The fireworks complaints come from all over the city, from the Natick Border, to the Ashland Border, to the Sudbury border and in between.
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