Call it a pyrotechnic pardon.
The NYPD and Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes are offering amnesty to firework owners willing to hand over their colorful but dangerous explosives to cops at the 62nd Precinct on June 30 — before their planned July 4 festivities.
The no-questions-asked program — the first of its kind — was put together so residents can continue to maintain their deep connection with their thumbs, according to program organizer Amy Feinstein.
“This program was done in Texas, Hawaii, Maryland, and other places and it seems to have been successful,” Feinstein said. “It’s really an effort to keep our kids safe. Every couple of years we hear about a horrible injury and we hope that any fireworks we get will prevent someone from getting injured.”
Anyone interested in getting rid of their fireworks — the safe way — can drop them off at the front desk of the 62 Precinct on Saturday before 5 pm. Cops will not ask anyone his name or ID.
But all bets are off if cops catch you with fireworks in the street: those caught using fireworks will have their stash seized and, depending how much you have, could receive either a summons or a trip to central booking. If the fireworks are found in your car, the NYPD can take that, too, cops say.
Use of illegal fireworks has dwindled in Brooklyn over the years, but the US Consumer Product Safety Commission claims that thousands of people are injured by fireworks each year.
More than 9,500 people were injured by fireworks in 2007 alone, a US Consumer Product Safety Commission study shows.
Fireworks Amnesty Day at the 62nd Precinct [1925 Bath Ave. in Bensonhurst, (718) 236–2611]. June 30 from 9 am to 5 pm.
Reach reporter Colin MIxson at cmixson@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4514.
