WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — The headache still lingers, days after July 4.
Many Uptown residents, who were braced for a round of illegal fireworks in the neighborhood this holiday weekend, said this year's explosions were part of the loudest, most widespread and least patrolled Fourth of July holiday in recent years — garnering 405 noise complaints to 311 from people in Inwood and Washington Heights between Monday and Thursday morning, according to 311 records online.
That's slightly down from last year, when there were 514 complaints over the same time period, according to 311 records.
While complaints about illegal fireworks have been a source of frustration for residents for years — and were even commemorated in a locally produced documentary — residents took to Twitter and Facebook to complain and plead with local officials, saying this year's onslaught of fireworks have been building up since June.
And they complain the NYPD has done little to nothing to halt it.
One resident even took a picture of what appears to be a display of fireworks on 204th and 207th Street in Inwood with a police car driving past the scene, which they said “watched it, and rolled away,” according to the post.
Great 😀 @NYPD34Pct pic.twitter.com/P9ay67SsCj
— Erin (@labeledbones) July 5, 2017
The NYPD press office and officials from the 34th Precinct did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Residents said they would have given anything for more NYPD cars and patrols in the community.
@NYPD34Pct A couple cars at Broadway and Ellwood would be much appreciated, please. The community would like to sleep for work tomorrow. thx
— Fort George (@peace_of_work) July 5, 2017
Hey @NYPD34Pct - fireworks this year worst ever. It's 3 am and still hearing them west neighborhood north of GWB. Can't we get some sleep?? https://t.co/LPYRbW6q7w
— RoughAcres (@RoughAcres) July 5, 2017
@NYPD34Pct illegal fireworks explosions on Sherman Ave and Isham St. Been going on for hours!!! Please respond! pic.twitter.com/0vJFqoTW6s
— Rich Stein (@richsteinny) July 5, 2017
Is it me or it's worse than previous yrs? It's been non stop. just saw a pic on FB of massive fireworks, NYPD car watched and then left.
— Corinna mila (@Milacorin) July 5, 2017
