Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
"This Fourth of July weekend, the Police Department will be out in full force to insure the safety of all New Yorkers," said Mayor Giuliani. "They will be on our roads and waterways pulling over motorists and boaters who are under the influence. Their message this weekend is clear -- if you choose to drink this holiday weekend do not get behind the wheel of a car or boat . The Police Department and Fire Department will also be continuing their successful efforts to seize illegal fireworks. This week, a house in Queens was nearly destroyed by an illegal 'rocket.' Fireworks are dangerous and destructive, and I commend the confiscation efforts of our task force."
"The New York City Police Department will be working throughout the weekend to make sure New Yorkers have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July holiday," said Commissioner Safir. "We will be stepping up DWI and BWI checkpoints throughout the City to deter intoxicated motorists and boaters. We would also like to ask New Yorkers to be mindful this weekend of the dangers of illegal fireworks and to leave fireworks to the professionals."
FDNY's Chief of Department Cruthers said, "The Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday but it is also the busiest day of the year for the New York City Fire Department. Thanks to the work of the Mayor's Joint Fireworks Task Force, we have seen a 39% drop in serious fires that were caused by fireworks during the two weeks preceding the July Fourth Holiday. This is also a credit to all the members of the public who have cooperated with our efforts to remove dangerous and illegal fireworks from the streets of our City. We are asking all New Yorkers to help us continue this downward trend right through the holiday weekend by refraining from using dangerous and illegal fireworks which are the source of many unnecessary fires and injuries."
"Traditionally, the Fire Department's Bureau of EMS has realized an 11% increase in call volume during the days that surround the Fourth of July holiday," said Chief Pappas. "This is primarily attributed to the injuries caused by illegal fireworks which include loss of sight, loss of hearing, serious burns, massive tissue damage, lacerations and traumatic amputations. New Yorkers should not have to spend this holiday in hospitals caring for and worrying about family members or friends that were seriously injured by fireworks. We hope that all New Yorkers will take the opportunity to enjoy legal fireworks displays throughout the greater metropolitan area with family and friends rather than spending their time in hospitals because of a bad mistake."
Offering safe alternatives for the Fourth of July, Commissioner Stern said, "Over the holiday weekend, our parks, beaches and pools are some of the best places to be in New York City. All 57 public outdoor pools opened today at 11 am, our beaches are staffed, and there's an array of exciting events taking place in the parks, including SummerStage concerts featuring George Clinton on Friday, Yoko Ono on Saturday and the Marley family on Sunday, a historic festival in Astoria, and a Reggae Culturama on Randall's Island. If you don't have holiday plans, spend part of your weekend with us."
Throughout the holiday weekend, police units will establish DWI checkpoints at strategic locations throughout the five boroughs. The Department's Highway Patrol Division will maintain enhanced staffing levels on every major City artery specifically on the lookout for drunk and impaired drivers. During the Memorial Day weekend holiday, the Police Department made 125 DWI related arrests. The Police Department's Harbor Unit has also developed a comprehensive plan to address the danger posed by intoxicated boaters. The Harbor Unit will strictly enforce the law against intoxicated boaters, establishing checkpoints on the water. Brochures, detailing the personal and legal risks of drunken boating, will be provided to all boaters at these checkpoints.
In the three weeks preceding the July 4th holiday, Police and Fire officials have seized a total of 6,800 cases of fireworks and has confiscated 44 vehicles. The Joint Task Force, established June 10th, will intensify its efforts during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The Task Force will be targeting illegal firework displays in every borough. On July 4th, an intensified patrol effort will be conducted at 13 known fireworks violations locations. Citizens with information about the sale or use of illegal fireworks are urged to call either the Police Department's hotline number (212) 732-3699 or the Fire Department's hotline number (800) FIRE-TIP.