'It's Worse Than Usual': Fireworks Calls To Boston Police Were Up 2300% In May

BOSTON (CBS) -- Nightly illegal fireworks are causing big problems for neighborhoods around Boston.  Police say calls for fireworks going off are skyrocketing.

"Large pops, it sounds like gunfire," said Mel Arredondo, who has been having sleepless nights.  Her Roslindale neighborhood has been bombarded by the sounds of fireworks night after night. "It just brings back bad memories.  I have wild dreams I had after the bombing."

She was at the marathon finish line when the bombs went off and is far from alone in her stress.

"There are a lot of people getting triggered –  people who are veterans, lost loved ones to gun violence," said City Councilor Julia Mejia.

Mejia is holding a virtual community meeting June 11 at 6 p.m. with its own #fireworkstrauma.  The issue has caught the attention of Mayor Marty Walsh as well.

"It's worse than usual. It started early and it never seemed to stop," Walsh said at a news conference Wednesday. "This is a serious issue, people are frightened, people are losing sleep."

The problem is in the numbers.  In May 2019, Boston police received 27 calls for illegal fireworks. This May, they received 656 calls, a more than 2,000% increase.  In June 2019, there were 22 calls. This year – not even halfway through this month – they've received 1,445 calls.

"Usually fireworks start July 3rd, you hear them the Fourth and for a week after, then they go away," Walsh said. "I mean, one went off the other night, I thought something blew up the park next to me."

The mayor stressed that illegal fireworks are a "serious issue" that wake people up and alarm veterans and others with PTSD. It's also a "real fire hazard," he said.

"If you're involved in this behavior, I want you to think about the people around you," Walsh said. "I want you to think about the kids and the families in your neighborhood, about your community, and stop it."

Mejia said it's a problem in every neighborhood of the city.  Last week, Boston police confiscated a large quantity of illegal fireworks in South Boston and Mattapan, but the nightly shows continue.

"We need to have the quiet for all of us to understand so much that is going on today, " said Arredondo.  She plans to take part in the community meeting, she said, to try to find some answers and peace.