A new law enforcement task force will be taking on the growing problem of illegal fireworks in New York City.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday the formation of a team of police officers, FDNY investigators, and sheriff's deputies that will try to cut off the supply chain of fireworks coming from out of state. Fireworks are illegal in New York but legal in nearby Pennsylvania, where several fireworks retailers are located near its borders with New Jersey and New York.
In recent weeks, the city has fielded numerous complaints of fireworks going off at all hours of the day and night. The NYPD said it has received more than 11,000 complaints so far in June.
"Illegal fireworks are both dangerous and a public nuisance," de Blasio said.