Opening the Debate on Enforcing Fireworks Laws

Jul 10, 2024

1 min

Lawrence Levy

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, talked to Newsday for a article about the challenges of enforcing the New York state law that says the use of fireworks by anyone other than a certified pyrotechnic is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail.



“Broad enforcement of laws forbidding fireworks is virtually impossible for local police departments, and perhaps even perilous for politicians,” Levy said. “Cops and fire departments already have their hands full with serious emergencies, including some due to mishandling of illegal fireworks, plus everything else they need to do on a busy holiday when people are drinking too much.”


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Lawrence Levy

Lawrence Levy

Associate Vice President and Executive Dean of the National Center for Surburban

Dean Levy works close with Hofstra’s academic community to shape an innovative agenda for suburban study

Suburban Spaces and DevelopmentSuburbsEducationTaxationPolitics of the Suburbs

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