You are so right, Laura! There was a news story this evening about this issue stating that last year there were 29 complaints (clearly many were not documented) but this year there are already hundreds. We need to call every time even though we shouldn't have to keep doing this.

I read a similar story in the TU. The reporter cited this or that City Official and stated how, I believe it was Syracuse, is really cracking-down. So, I emailed the Reporter tonight and said, "Go to Click, See, Fix", see what residents in the City of Albany have to tolerate every night and ask yourself 'Why is nothing being done. to enforce Noise Ordinance laws?"

Laura, that is awesome, I sent a similar email to news channel 10 and saw a very soft piece on the issue this morning. If we are as loud and incessant as the fireworks maybe we will be heard.

JustJen, oh - that's some welcome nice this morning.

I did email my City Councilman, he said,"I live in the same neighborhood as you, don't you think it drives me crazy?' According to him, the City is stuck because of Albany County Law.

He suggested I address this with the Albany County Executive. Why not? I'm being kept awake all night anyway.

That's ridiculous because it's state, not city, law that prevails and large fireworks are illegal. Even if city law was an issue, it's Richard Conti, the council person for Center Square and Washington Park, and city council who make city law and could change it if they want.

last night the police chief said not his problem ...you have to contact the persons mother and have them stop fireworks ...what kind of police chief do we have?

It seems to me this is the kind of things that police don't want to deal with right now. At a time when people are protesting that they feel harassed b police, sending the cops to deal with a minor issue like this doesn't seem like it will help. Maybe people in the neighborhood should just go talk to the people doing it?

It is a group of people going around on foot so it is hard to pinpointed where they go and they move around. So we all should keep reporting it and hopefully they will be caught, they are doing this with malicious intent and need to be caught. The protests are not about abandoning law and order and just to be clear, I am hearing it is a group of white guys so lets not stereotype. But everyone should write County Executive Dan McCoy at County_Executive@albanycountyny.gov and keep complaining, it does make a difference.

Hmm I wasn't the one to stereotype. I assume you know that many police interactions that go south start out with a simple call like this right? Unless they are damaging something I'm not sure what the cops can even do. This isn't being complained about as any property damage so I think a noise ticket isn't going to mean much to whoever is doing this. Not sure the police have any power to do anything about this at all. Of course they'll just move to another neighborhood which I guess is the goal here.

I would not advise talking with the people doing it unless you know them and are friendly with them. I'm certainly not leaving my house at 2 A.M. to find who is doing this and confronting them.

I just emailed Dan McCoy so here is to hoping I get some kind of reply.

any fireworks that leave the ground are illegal in nys

I would suggest refiling complaint and you can check on complaint status through Freedom of information (FOIL).It is your legal right to know. As far as Albany County law and such, it is not only that many of these are illegal and some potentially illegal as weapons grade, anything that unduly disturbs others is illegal. And that is more-so at nighttime.

What a great discussion here and sharig of resources and action. I can attest that people in predominantly black and brown neighborhoods feel under terrible stress hearing this all night. We have had so many shootings and it scares our children and no one can function without sleep night after night. If this was happening in Loudonville, it wouldn't be tolerated. My community deserves no less.

Right on, Anonymous. No one deserves this.

I totally agree. Your community deserves no less is absolutely right! I think if you are someone who is not subjected to it night after night (on top of all the recent violence we have had to deal with) you really don't have a good understanding of how it feels...how very stressful it can be. Folks in charge need to listen to the residents and help solve the quality of life issues. Many folks don't have the luxury of being able to just pick up and move!

Robyn G is right. I was mad enough one night to go out and hunt down whoever was responsible. It was a moving target. I'd think I had it pinpointed to this or that parking lot (especially where the old YMCA was) get there, it would be empty and fireworks would be going off somewhere else nearby.

Please continue to call the police at 518-438-4000 if you hear them. Additionally if you know the house that is doing it, say so in the call to dispatch. Let your Beat Officer know if you have a house in your neighborhood that is doing it repeatedly. It does help us.

So here is the reply I received from my email yesterday

Thank you for contacting the County Executive’s office with your issue. The County does not have authority over the Albany Police Department, but have forwarded your message to their attention as well as the Mayor’s office. In addition, we have provided this to the County Sheriff to determine if they can assist. Be well.

Best,

Mike McLaughlin

Director of Policy and Research

Office of the Albany County Executive

112 State Street, Room 1200

Albany, NY 12207

(W) 518.447.7040

(F) 518.447.5589

So, the City tells you to contact the County and the County tells you to contact the City.

The same thing happened when I contacted the Sheriffs Office, they told me to contact APD.

I used to live in the Mansion Neighborhood and still get their emails. Dannielle Hille there is building a coalition of representatives from each neighborhood to tackle this problem.

our wonderful pass the buck pd all they think about is retirement

Would anyone happen to know why the APD thinks they can't arrest/cite the offending parties? It seems to me that illegal fireworks are illegal fireworks and that the ones that are legal are obviously not the ones we are talking about here.

JustJen, the police didn’t want to deal with issues before the craziness of the past few weeks. Now it is more clear than ever that the mayor doesn’t want them doing anything. And they seem fine with it. The mayor loves getting face-time and acting like she is working on issues but all I have ever seen is politics. I think the fact that she can paint crosswalks to appease groups and bring attention to herself, but risks their very lives by not making sure crosswalks are clear of ice and snow in the winter says it all.

Can't disagree with you there, Watching out for our Citizens. COVID-19 and police reform are now being used as the reasons for not dealing with illegal fireworks, illegal noise, illegal ATV activity, etc.. Some of us aren't that stupid. These issues, and many others, weren't being addressed way before. It will always be some excuse. Plus, why is the city assuming these issues are perpetuated by black individuals? Plenty of white people are on these motorcycles, ATVs, shooting off fireworks AND stressing out predominantly black neighborhoods. The strategy is to wear people down. If they don't respond, we will alll just give up (so they mistakenly think). I do understand a need to focus on recent shootings, but again these other issues weren't being addressed long before.

Hey guys, I been thinking about this. Go to Twitter #Fireworks. This is happening all over the country. The LAPD confiscated 800 lbs of fireworks in one night. Think about that. Does 800 lbs sound like your inconsiderate neighbors setting off fireworks for fun late at night?

Yes, it's a problem across the country, including people shooting them off in busy traffice causing accidents, shooting them at people, and causing fires. The motorcycle and ATV issues are nation-wide as well. All the more reason to finally resolve these issues.. A Springfield, MA councilperson was on a radio program this morning talkng about what he is doing to increase enforcement, fines, etc. Too bad we don't have a councilperson like that.

I also noted that Springfield will be increasing enforcement. Something to keep an eye on...see what is working for them.