Woodbridge Begins 'Unprecedented' Crackdown On Illegal Fireworks

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Starting Friday, the Woodbridge Police Department will immediately begin a crackdown on the use of illegal fireworks in the Township.

Every year around this time, Woodbridge Police look for illegal fireworks around town. But this year, the crackdown is unprecedented, said Mayor John McCormac: Woodbridge Police will be out in marked and unmarked cars in the days leading up to the Fourth-of-July weekend.

These marked and unmarked cars will respond to any location where illegal fireworks are in use.

"People setting off these fireworks are subject to arrest and confiscation of all items," said McCormac on Friday afternoon. "These fireworks really impact small children, senior citizens, people with PTSD and many pets. And for days people can’t get a good night’s sleep."

Woodbridge Police also maintain a database of addresses where prior fireworks complaints were received — "So those areas receive special checks," warned the mayor.

Additionally, the WPD will respond to any complaints or instances where the use of illegal fireworks jeopardizes public safety and will take appropriate action, including arrest of violators and confiscation of illegal fireworks. The name and address of any person arrested and/or charged with the sale, use or possession of illegal fireworks will be publicly released to the news media, including possibly being published on Patch.

As a reminder, Woodbridge's official town fireworks will be next Friday, July 2 at Alvin P. Williams Park

Festivities begin at 4:00 p.m. Popular band The Nerds will be performing before and after the fireworks show. Food will be available for purchase. New this year is that Woodbridge will be presenting official Killed-in-Action flags to the families of any resident of Woodbridge who was killed in any war from World War II through now. Please see the Woodbridge Township website to register your family member and receive the KIA flag.

Changes to New Jersey's fireworks laws

Recent changes to the New Jersey Explosives and Fireworks Act (N.J.S.A. 21:2-1 et seq., as amended by P.L.2017, C.92) now permit people 16 or older to lawfully buy, possess and use certain sparkling devices and novelties sold only in registered retail locations.

What you can now legally have in New Jersey are: Hand-held or ground-based sparklers, snakes and glow worms, smoke devices and trick noisemakers, including party poppers, snappers and drop pops.

However, the possession or use of all other fireworks (including firecrackers, roman candles, M80’s, cherry bombs, salutes, and ground-to-air fireworks) remains a fourth-degree crime, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to 18 months in jail.

Additionally, a person is guilty of a petty disorderly person’s offense (a fine of up to $500 and/or a jail term of up to 30 days) if he or she purchases, uses, discharges, causes to be discharged, ignites, fires or otherwise sets in action, or possesses fireworks without having the required permit.

A recent report issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission noted that 67 percent of all fireworks injuries were sustained during the 30-day period surrounding the Independence Day holiday; that more than 5,600 injuries occur nationwide due to fireworks (most often burns to the hands and head, including to the eyes, face, and ears) and 36 percent of the reported injuries occur to children under the age of 15. The majority of fireworks injury reports involve emergency room treatment and release, but the more severe and fatal injuries were associated with the consumer’s use of professional grade and homemade fireworks.

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