MERIDEN, Conn. — Thousands of dollars worth of illegal fireworks were seized at a home on Bunker Avenue after police received numerous complaints.
Meriden Police executed a search and seizure warrant at the home and found five-thousand dollars worth of illegal fireworks.
"They range from little pops to loud booms. Almost sound like explosives," said Dawn Rossignol of Meriden.
Rossignol lived on Highland Avenue just minutes from Bunker Avenue. She said every night for the past two months, the sudden sounds of fireworks startle her.
"Sometimes I jump, sometimes I’m like oh it’s just another firework. A little aggravating. My fiancé works third shift. Sometimes it wakes him up out of a dead sleep," added Rossignol.
Police searched the two-car garage on Bunker Avenue and when they went inside, they found a wall of illegal fireworks.
Neighbors alerted police of the fireworks that would go off during the evening into the early morning hours.
"They’re pretty loud! They’re pretty loud!" said Eddie Quiles of Meriden.
The State Police Bomb Squad was called to the scene and the fireworks were turned over to them to be destroyed. Meriden Police said charges will be filed.
Garage filled with illegal fireworks found in Meriden
Eddie Quiles said he thinks it is all in good fun but worries about fireworks getting into the wrong hands like his granddaughter's.
"I mean, I don’t mind where they have it somewhere where they have people there and the experience to do it but not just have it around the streets where anybody can pick it up and play with it," added Quiles.
Police are reminding everyone they will be aggressively searching for people who are setting off or owning illegal fireworks. If they are caught, they could face charges.
Meriden is just one of many Connecticut cities and towns dealing with an uptick in illegal fireworks.
For weeks, numerous cities and towns have been trying to crack down on illegal fireworks including New Britain, Wethersfield, and Hartford.
The other day, the Hartford Police Department seized a huge number of illegal fireworks from a home on Albany Avenue.
Hartford has received 635 fireworks complaints in just five days. While only sparklers and fountains are legal in Connecticut, the illegal use of fireworks is skyrocketing according to city officials and residents.
The Hamden police department said it’s dealing with a vast increase in firework complaints- 63 over the past two months.
Stratford also released a public notice in anticipation of the Fourth of July warning violating fireworks laws can result in ticketing or an arrest.
Hartford has two dedicated tip lines for reporting the use of fireworks and when calling, officials urge residents to be as specific as possible regarding the location.
Call 860-757-0000 or text 860-294-8233 to report any illegal firework activity in Hartford.