A South Jersey homeowner ignored police on July 4 — now the bill is coming due

🎆 Police warned the resident to stop the July 4 fireworks display

🎆 After officers left, the homeowner continued launching fireworks

🎆 The township cleaned the debris and will bill the homeowner for cleanup costs

NORTH BRUNSWICK — Celebrating freedom isn't free.

A homeowner who ignored police orders to stop shooting off fireworks on the Fourth of July will now have to pay for the cleanup.

Several residents of Beverly Avenue called police about the display. The person launching them was given a warning and told by officers to stop. After the officers left, the resident continued their display, according to Mayor Francis Womak.

The homeowner, whose identity was not disclosed, will be issued “appropriate complaints and summonses.” Police will also review video and photos collected from the resident's home to determine if "further enforcement actions" are needed.

"Township crews have cleaned the roadway of fireworks debris, and the responsible party will be held responsible for the cleanup costs," Womak said. He did not disclose the cost of the cleanup.

ALSO READ: Why were charges filed in one NJ K-9 death but not both?

Billboard for fireworks store along Route 1 in Morrisville, Pa.

What fireworks can you shoot off?

The display is a quality-of-life issue, which the mayor says has been taken seriously from the beginning.

"The township is committed to holding individuals accountable when they disregard the law and disrupt the community," Womak said.

Gov. Chris Christie in 2017 signed a law that allowed the sale and use of sparkling devices and other handheld/ground-based fireworks by anyone age 16 and over. These fireworks include snakes and glow worms, smoke devices, trick noisemakers, party poppers, snappers and drop pops.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom