With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, the Evesham Police Department wants residents to have fun on the Fourth of July, but are also reminding the public to refrain from using illegal fireworks.
The use of illegal fireworks can result in personal injury and death. The use of illegal fireworks can also result in property damage and a disturbance to the quality of life in society. In 2011, there were 11 reported injuries across the state as a result of illegal fireworks. No one was injured during any licensed and authorized public firework displays.
The only items that are legal for sale and possession in the State of New Jersey are plastic paper or plastic caps for use in toy guns. Novelty items such as sparklers, cigarette loads, trick matches, trick noise makers, smoke grenades, toy propellants, snaps and pops, poppetts and champagne poppers, as well as firecrackers, roman candles, rockets, etc. are classified as fireworks and are illegal for sale and possession.
Evesham Police will enforce all applicable state statues in connection with incidents involving fireworks and the public.
Applicable Laws:
• N.J.S. 21:3–2 Sale and Possession of Prohibited Fireworks: It is unlawful for any person to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell, possess or use, or explode any item identified as a prohibited firework.
-Any person who sells or offers for sale with intent to sell fireworks is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
-Any person who purchases, uses, discharges, causes to be discharged, ignites, fires, or otherwise sets in action, or possesses any fireworks is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense.
• N.J.S. 21:2–6 Sale and Possession of Dangerous Fireworks: It shall be unlawful to manufacture, sell, transport or use dangerous fireworks within the State of New Jersey.
-Any violation of this chapter is a crime of the fourth degree (refer to definitions in Volume 6 Chapter 5 that lists characteristics that elevate certain prohibited fireworks to “dangerous fireworks”).
• N.J.S. 2C:17–2 Causing or Risking Widespread Injury or Damage: A second degree offense, widespread injury or damage means serious bodily injury to 10 or more people or damage to 10 or more habitations or to a building that would normally contain 50 or more persons at the time of the offense.
• N.J.S. 2C:39–4 Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purposes:
b-Explosives: Any person who has in his possession or carries any explosive substance with purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the second degree.
c- Destructive Devices: Any person who has in his possession any destructive device with purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the second degree.
