Nassau County police on Wednesday rolled out a countywide calendar of licensed fireworks displays for the July Fourth stretch and urged Long Islanders to leave the explosives to the pros. The schedule highlights the big-ticket shows at Jones Beach, Eisenhower Park and the Long Beach boardwalk, along with a roster of smaller village and volunteer run events scattered across the county. The department also stressed that mishandling fireworks can lead to property damage and serious injury, and noted that phone numbers are available for reporting suspicious activity.
Licensed Displays Across The County
The Nassau County Police Department’s post breaks out dates and start times for dozens of licensed, professional shows, from neighborhood parks to waterfront blowouts, and explicitly name checks County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman and Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder. On the list are Eisenhower Park in Westbury, multiple events in Massapequa Park and Rockville Centre, Valley Stream’s Firemen’s Field and Mineola’s Wilson Park, among others. According to the Nassau County Police Department, spectators are urged to stick with licensed displays run by trained pyrotechnicians instead of trying to recreate the show at home.
Jones Beach And Other Marquee Shows
At Jones Beach, the Jovia Financial Credit Union Fireworks Spectacular is set to kick off at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, with shells launched over the ocean and visible from the Central Mall and boardwalk. New York State Parks notes that the fireworks are part of the beach’s Independence Day lineup and that music is typically simulcast to go with the 25 minute show. Drivers should brace for heavy traffic on Ocean Parkway and in the Wantagh area as crowds pour in for prime viewing, according to New York State Parks.
Strict Rules And Safety Warnings
Under New York law, most consumer fireworks remain illegal, and Nassau County has opted out of the narrow “sparkling devices” exception that some other areas allow. That means the vast majority of consumer grade fireworks cannot legally be bought, sold or used in the county. The state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services explains that only certain ground based and handheld sparkling devices may be sold during limited seasonal windows unless a county bans them, while aerial shells, bottle rockets and firecrackers are still unlawful statewide, according to the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. That legal backdrop is a big reason local police and fire officials keep steering residents toward licensed shows instead of backyard pyrotechnics.
Plan Ahead: What To Expect
Big events mean big crowds, and officials say to expect lane closures, slow traffic and packed viewing spots at the most popular shows. The City of Long Beach notes that its boardwalk display is scheduled to start at dark on Friday, July 10 and warns that bags and coolers may be subject to searches. If you are heading for the shore, the county suggests arriving early, carpooling or taking transit and staking out a safe vantage point away from the launch barge. The county’s message also flags that drones, homemade fireworks and unlicensed displays can turn crowded events into hazards for both the public and first responders.
Report Illegal Fireworks And Suspicious Activity
Residents who spot illegal fireworks or anything suspicious near launch sites are asked to speak up. Tips can be passed along anonymously to Nassau County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-244-TIPS or through Nassau County Crime Stoppers. The Nassau County Police Department’s post also lists the NCPD Arson Bomb Squad hotline, 516-573-8850, for information tied to pyrotechnic incidents. In the same message, the department warns that incorrect use of fireworks can cause property damage and serious or even fatal injuries, and urges residents to leave the show to licensed professionals, guidance that appears in the Nassau County Police Department Facebook post.
Across Nassau County this July, officials say the licensed shows are the safest way to take in the pyrotechnics marking America’s 250th. Their bottom line is simple: plan ahead, follow the posted rules and give first responders the space they need so the only sparks flying are the ones in the sky.
