At around 10:27pm this evening I had noticed a group of about 7 to 8 teens shooting off fireworks near my house on Washington Avenue. I thought nothing of it untill i noticed the youths throw lit firecrackers on top of a taxi cab waiting at the traffic light on the corner of Washington Avenue ans Warren Street. As I was about to contact the police, I had noticed them throw lit firecrackers on top of my neighbor’s car parked in his driveway. As my neighbor came out and as I was calling the police, the teens ran down Walnut Street towards Union Avenue. The problem with teens shooting off fireworks has gotten worse over the years in New Rochelle’s West End. These teens are being recklees when shooting off fireworks. I often see them throwing them out of car windows and at cars and pedestrians as well as on people’s property such as mine and my neighbor’s. I feel that this problem should be adressed before someone gets severely injured or before there is ant significant amount of property damage. I believe that these people should be taken into police custody if they are found with ANY fireworks on them instead of the police just confiscate the fireworks and letting people go without any consiquences. I am not knocking the police officers in New Rochelle at all. All i am saying is that the problem with people illegaly shooting off fireworks should be adressed before someone gets severely injured.
4 thoughts on “West End Fireworks Problem”
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Complaint Filed?
Did you actually complete the call to the police?
The police department is more likely to respond to a trend of calls. If you see something, say something. By calling and reporting an incident you are establishing a record. Call and then follow up. If this is truly a growing problem it will be evidenced by increase reports to police.
Details are important. For example, the taxi company should have an idea of which drivers were in that area at that time. DId they file a complaint? Did you get the taxi company name? The number of the vehicle? A description of the driver. He or she may not call it in (after all they are busy working) but your call my prompt police to call the taxi company and get more information.
Our police department is spread way too thin. Do you want to them to respond to an assault on North Avenue, responding to a fight over at New Roc or chasing kids throwing firecrackers? There is only so much they can do.
As citizens, we can help them by being a good set of eyes and ears, getting SPECIFIC information to them in a timely manner.
To case this example, you give a detailed report of several teens throwing firecrackers. Someone else makes a report of these same teens smoking marijuana on the street outside a deli. Someone else complains of teens being loud and being disruptive. It might seem like a bunch of useless information, that the cops “do nothing” and it is a waste of time.
The next day police discover that cars along the same street have been vandalized and broken into and property stolen.
Now those reports taken on a whole new meaning and some of those detailed descriptions filed with police may then be used to make an arrest.
If you are thinking of calling, then call.
If you see something, say something.
It is not always any once incident. Often it is a mosaic and you have a piece that may just help in a way that you cannot foresee.
Still don’t believe me? Who remembers Son of Sam? Remember how police caught him?
http://bit.ly/O8LOSc
Thanks for the advice Mr.
Thanks for the advice Mr. Cox. i completed my call to the police and my neighbor who saw them better gave the police officer a better description than i did of the teens. The taxi company was express taxi i believe. i could not get the car number or licence plate but i advised the police of the taxi company name. you are 100% right about the police being under staffed. we have great police officers in our city. it is just unfortunate that they are under staffed. they had advised my neighbor and I to call them if we see things like kids loitering and stuff like that.
Get Bob Cox…
Let Bob Cox know about this…perhaps he could check this out…He is a superb individual who may be able to see what exactly goes on the NR West End with the danger of the fireworks issue…
I totally agree…
You are absolutely right,this is a dangerous situation. Someone is going to get hurt.
Reckless is putting it mildly. If fireworks are being thrown on cars and at people you now have the issue of someone being killed.
Who will be accountable?
New Rochelle Police, in the Name of God, please step up your efforts and watch out for these dangerous, life threatening individuals before they potentially kill someone.