People in Richmond are bracing for a night of explosions as the city gears up to ring in the new year on Tuesday night.
Residents say illegal fireworks are no longer reserved just for July Fourth. They’re happening year-round, and many are fed up with it.
“It sounds like heavy explosives going off, bombs. Car alarms are going off from the concussions of whatever is going off,” said resident Shawn Dunning.
Residents said what used to be a July Fourth tradition has now become part of every holiday in Richmond. Many were stunned to hear fireworks on Christmas.
“Christmas Eve was shocking to me, honestly, because I think of it as not being a fireworks holiday,” said resident Terri Hinte.
Hinte said her dog Revel will definitely not be reveling on New Year’s Eve. Like many dogs, Revel gets agitated by the loud explosions, and Hinte said there’s no way to comfort him.
“I feel really bad for my dog and other dogs who are going to have panic attacks when this noise and tumult start,” she said.
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Richmond police Lt. Donald Patchin said extra officers will be deployed on Tuesday.
“We do take them seriously. We’re going to do our best to respond and address them appropriately, but it does tend to overwhelm our resources,” he said.
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Patchin said not only do people light fireworks, but some also fire guns into the air, which only adds to the danger.
“You fire the gun in the air and then the bullet needs to come back down somewhere. It can go through a roof of a house or it could strike somebody on the street," he said.
Richmond City Councilmember Cesar Zepeda said he plans to ask the council to review and possibly strengthen the city’s fireworks ordinance in the new year. He too has been shocked at the escalation. Explosions jolted him out of bed on Christmas.
"Loud pops. I looked out the window and I saw the fireworks and just trying to figure out what was happening and it wasn’t Fourth of July," he said.
Dunning said he and his family plan to stay inside on Tuesday night. He’s not looking forward to starting the new year with a bang.
“If you want to know what a war zone sounds like, come to Richmond tomorrow night,” he said.
