City To Tow Cars Parked In LIC Streets On July 3, 4

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks are coming back in “full force” this weekend, according to the Mayor, and so are the city’s parking restrictions near the popular Long Island City viewing area.

Beginning at 10 p.m. on July 3 through 11 p.m. on July 4, the NYPD will tow any cars parked between Vernon Boulevard and Center Boulevard from 44th Drive to 54th Avenue, near Hunter’s Point South Park, where Macy’s will be staging the production of its fireworks extravaganza.

The 108th Precinct, which oversees Long Island City, tweeted that this “frozen zone” includes all side streets in the area — including 2nd Street, 5th Street, Borden Avenue, 51st Avenue, 50th Avenue, 49th Avenue, 45th Road, 45 Avenue and 44th Drive.

In addition to parking restrictions, the NYPD will start shutting down traffic on the Williamsburg Bridge and the 59th Street/Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge at 2 p.m. before the show.

"It's going to be very difficult to get around the city between 2 p.m. and 2 a.m.," said Juanita Holmes, the NYPD’s chief of patrol, who strongly encouraged fireworks viewers to ride public transportation to and from the show.

These restrictions are in addition to a series of extra safety measures that the city is taking during the annual fireworks special.

On Thursday, officials announced that large deployments of cops — including uniformed officers, plainclothes cops, canine teams, bomb squads, an emergency service unit, harbor patrol and aviation — will be monitoring the event.

"What we're asking is that you'd be very mindful of what you bring to these sites," said Holmes, adding that people will be subject to metal detectors and searches.

“You're not allowed to bring any backpacks, large blankets, seats, umbrellas, naturally, and no alcohol,” she added.

But, one thing that the NYPD will not be enforcing is mask wearing.

"Most people are vaccinated and those that feel uncomfortable are welcome to wear masks if they like, but that's not what we're going to be there for," said Holmes.

Hunter’s Point South Park will be closed from the afternoon of July 3 through the following day, but firework viewers can watch the display from the nearby Gantry Plaza State Park, reported the Queens Post.

Read about the city’s other designated viewing sites in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan here.