Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Although there are plenty of great fireworks displays throughout central New York this weekend, some people are putting on their own fireworks shows, despite police warnings that it's illegal.
It's also a health and safety issue, especially because so many kids play with them without adults around.
Syracuse Police Sgt. Gary Bulinski was on fireworks detail Friday night. He relies on his ears, sense of smell and sight.
He comes across the first incident of the evening, where kids are having their own July Fourth celebration. He issues a warning that setting off fireworks is illegal, but he's probably more concerned about safety.
“They weren't being supervised,” says Bulinski.
The best-case scenario is to find large scores of fireworks, because one bust gets a whole lot off the street.
Bulinski stops at corner shops, warning them that selling the explosives is bad for business.
The Syracuse Police Department has confiscated $14,000 worth of fireworks in the past week and a half. That's actually down from previous years.
Bulinski thinks that's due to their PSA campaign and the rainy weather.
