By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — The NYPD celebrated Independence Day early — by blowing up 5,000 pounds of confiscated fireworks Friday.
The illegal fireworks, which were destroyed at the NYPD's firing range in The Bronx, ranged from sparklers to professional pyrotechnics, police said.
The NYPD has arrested 70 people and seized six vehicles in connection with the transportation of illegal fireworks this year.
An additional 20 arrests were made by fire marshals in the FDNY's Fireworks Enforcement Unit for the sale, use storage and/or transportation of illegal fireworks, police said. More than 300 cases of fireworks valued at more $25,000 were seized.
"We want everyone to enjoy the 4th in the city, but fireworks in the hands of an amateur are extremely dangerous and illegal," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a statement.
"We've worked to aggressively crackdown on the use of illegal fireworks and the transporting of illegal fireworks into the city. Our efforts have dramatically reduced the number of injuries caused by fireworks each year, bringing injuries down to only one last year."
Bloomberg urged New Yorkers to watch Macy's annual fireworks display over the Hudson River, which police said utilizes 55 times more fireworks than the average show in the country.
