Fireworks-related complaints surge
Memphians have a few theories on why boom has increased
Many residents of Memphis and Shelby County have joined others in metropolitan areas in the nation in asking why the number of fireworks set off in residential areas seems to be higher than normal ahead of the July 4th holiday weekend.
Residents aren’t just musing online, they’re calling in complaints as well.
According to the Memphis Police Department, noise complaints related to fireworks are substantially higher this year.
From June 18 through June 22 in 2018, MPD received eight noise complaints related to fireworks.
This year MPD has already received 238 fireworks-related complaints in the same time period, an increase of 2,875%.
The reason for the uptick is up for some debate.
Larry Farnsworth, who handles communications for the National Fireworks Association confirmed that sales are up across the country. The association represents industry issues for more than 1,200 vendors.
“We noticed an increase in sales on Memorial Day. In fact, one of our members reported that his sales totals for Memorial Day 2020 were greater than the last four years combined,”
Farnsworth said.
Farnsworth quickly noted the association advocates for the legal use of fireworks first and foremost. And in most large cities, as in Memphis, it’s against city ordinance to own, sell or set off fireworks.
Illicit activity aside, Farnsworth said setting off fireworks is something that can be done outside, among neighbors and friends as an activity that restores some sense of community following months of coronavirus shut-downs.
“It’s something you can do at the end of your driveway, outside among your neighbors and friends, while still being socially distant,” Farnsworth said. “And I think it gives people a sense of normalcy.”
A sales associate at one Mid-south distributor, Missouri-based Dynomite Fireworks, also attributed the uptick in sales to sheer boredom.
“People have been at home, locked up and going stir-crazy for months,” said Dynomite sales associate Anthony Kelly.
Kelly spoke while ringing up a line of customers that he described as “out the door.”
“This is the first big holiday we’ve had since Easter, and people are over it. You can’t go anywhere, you can’t do all the things you normally do, so yeah, I think people are ready to gather with grandpa and grandma and relatives and just shoot some fireworks,” Kelly said.
Some Memphians have questions and wonder if the unusual nature of this year’s fireworks season is intentional.
Grad student Amber Sherman questioned the affordability of the fireworks heard throughout Memphis. Sherman, like others, have said that many of the noises sound like larger, more professional pyrotechnic devices.
Many on social media have also described loud boom-like sounds that are unaccompanied by the usual shower of colors that will ideally follow a firework.
MPD spokesperson Louis Brownlee attested to hearing more fireworks than usual for this time of year in areas around Memphis, but had a differing explanation from vendors and other Memphians.
Brownlee suggested that this particular moment in time carries special significance, and possibly extra efforts to celebrate.
“This year, there’s a heightened awareness of the Black struggle,” Brownlee said, “And there’s a heightened effort in the Black community to really celebrate Juneteenth, and to celebrate it just as we do the 4th of July.”