Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Booming Late Night Fireworks Are Waking Up New Yorkers
By
David Cruz
Published May 21, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Macy's
By
David Cruz
Published May 21, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In the weeks preceding and following the 4th of July, New Yorkers generally grow accustomed to the bangs and booms erupting from illegal rooftop fireworks. But well before the end of May 2020, some parts of the city are being subjected to large scale fireworks displays late into the evening, and residents are increasingly fed up.
In the sleepy Riverdale section of the Bronx, locals have endured fireworks shows as early as April, which were at first perceived as benign when they popped off at 7 p.m. as part of the now nightly Clap For Healthcare Workers salute. But as the spring coronavirus lockdown wore on, the fireworks crept later into the evening.
It hasn't been appreciated by Laura Biossoti of the north Bronx neighborhood, whose pet dog trembles in fear for at least two hours following the colorful nightly explosions. "He goes airborne from fear," said Biossoti of her nine-year-old dog. In one video she posted on Facebook, the dog can be seen with its ears pointed, alert, but shaking (a loud TV muffles the sound of the M80s).
"I can't even hold him because he's scrambling, trying to find a place to hide," said Biossoti. "Anybody who's a dog lover, and knows this, it's just not fair."
Biossoti's local assembly member, Jeffrey Dinowitz, has been bombarded with these calls over the last month and has alerted the local precinct.
"It's a recent phenomenon and boy would I love to find out who it is," said Dinowitz, who's noticed elevated revving of vehicles along the Henry Hudson Parkway on top of the fireworks, which are illegal in New York City. "It's illegal, it's dangerous. We shouldn't have to be dealing with this stuff now. We have to be focused on the horrible problem we're dealing with."
Other big fireworks displays have been documented elsewhere in the city. On May 9th, a video posted to Twitter by Navid Ahmadi showed a display that apparently took place at 12:45 a.m.
"That night, my girlfriend and I were just watching TV. We suddenly heard loud sounds, like shots being fired," Ahmadi told Gothamist. "And our blinds were open, so with each [heard] sound; flashes of light filled our room too. We assumed it was some crazy shooting outside. But then I approached our window and saw fireworks from the building some short distance away. They set off two sets of fireworks."
The incident hasn't happened again, Ahmadi added.
A post on Facebook showed another fireworks display on April 25th in Manhattan near Inwood, just across the river from Riverdale.
For now, Biossoti will have to manage her dog on her own, as the individuals behind the Riverdale fireworks remain at large and presumably still packing M80s.
"It's just stupid. It'd be great if they can catch up with this person."
Tagged
new york city
fireworks
David Cruz
David is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .