Despite rules and regulations that widely ban the use of fireworks around the Lower Mainland, many people say they were kept up much of Halloween night because of them.
People say they were heard for several hours in parts of Langley, Ladner, Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and Coquitlam.
Sgt. Paul Walker with the Abbotsford Police Department tells 1130 NewsRadio that officers dealt with a “large amount” being set off throughout the community and had to wrangle some young people who “seemed to have no regard for where they were setting them off and who from the public was around.”
“Last evening the AbbyPD responded to a large number of fireworks complaints within our city particularly within the west side of Abbotsford. Violation tickets were issued along with fireworks seizures occurring,” Walker continued.
“During last night’s deployment, the common theme for a significant portion of this illegal activity was youth ranging from as young as 14 in possession of illegal fireworks.
“Parents of these youth play a significant role in assisting police in ensuring they know what their kids are up to. We’re asking parents as we move into the weekend to ensure that their children aren’t participating in this type of illegal behaviour.”
Steve lives in the Johnston Heights area in Surrey and called our newsroom on Friday morning. He says it was simply too much.
“It was crazy, especially after 9 p.m., massive explosions,” he said. “I find Surrey bylaw, they were driving around trying to catch [people], but they were being very smart about it.”
He worries people will continue shooting them in the air tonight and through the weekend.
This year, Halloween fell on Diwali — the Hindu festival of lights — which is often marked with fireworks.
Fines vary from city to city with Surrey recently increasing its minimum fine from $100 to $400. The maximum was also raised from $5,000 to $50,000.
-With files from Cole Schisler.