Illegal DC fireworks display shut down by police
WASHINGTON - An illegal fireworks display that has grown in popularity over several decades in the District was shut down by police Wednesday night.
The display which traditionally has taken place in northwest D.C. along 13th Street began in the mid-1980s, according to an article by DCist. The event grew larger and became more coordinated over the years with many in the community contributing to its cost.
Video from Wednesday's display shows police on the scene. The crowd that had gathered can be heard chanting "Let him go" and one person appears to be in handcuffs.
Police officials say they received a 911 call asking them to respond to the area Wednesday night around 9:30 p.m. D.C. fire officials say they were alerted to the illegal display by the article in the DCist.
The District is very clear on what types of fireworks are legal and illegal posting a specific breakdown online. D.C. firefighters also responded to a dumpster fire Wednesday night they say was ignited by illegal fireworks.
It is unclear if any arrests were made at the display or if anyone is facing charges.
Prohibited & Permitted Fireworks According to Metropolitan Police Department:
Prohibited
Article 27, DC Register, F-2700.1.1: The manufacture, storage, display, sale, setting off, or discharge of any firework listed below is prohibited in the District of Columbia.
-Firecrackers of any kind or description
-Any firework that explodes, such as cherry bombs, salutes, Roman candles, floral shells, artillery shells
-Any firework intended to move after the piece is placed and fired; such as bottle rockets, parachutes, buzzbombs, pinwheels, helicopters, jumping jacks
-Sparklers more than 20 inches (50mm) in length
-Any firework that contains mercury, arsenic, tetryl, phosporous, sulphocyanide, magnesium, potassium picrate, gallic acid, chlorate of potash and sugar, or any highly oxidizing agent
-Any firework having a side fuse, or a fuse inserted at any point along the length of the firework
-Any firework found by the code official to be dangerous to the safety of persons or property
Permitted
Article 27, District of Columbia Register, F-2700.1.2): The fireworks listed below are permitted to be stored, displayed, sold, delivered, used, and possessed in accordance with the provisions of this article.
-Any firework specifically excepted in this article
-Toy paper caps containing not more than twenty-five hundredths (0.25) of a grain of explosive composition per cap
-Sparklers not more than 20 inches (50mm) in length
-Torches, cones
-Box fires, fountains
-Dip-sticks, non-poisonous snakes
-Paper novelty items, colored lights