Have You Been Affected?

Please share your stories about how illegal fireworks have upset or harmed you, members of your family,  your pets or your property by clicking here.

"My grandfather was playing with fireworks as a kid. He didn’t drop it fast enough and spent his life completely deaf in one ear. He constantly reminded his grandchildren that some things just aren’t worth playing with."

Leslie Grady, District 5

"I have dogs, and they are so terrified of the fireworks that I almost think they’re gonna have a nervous breakdown or heart attack and die! Not to mention all the birds and the other wildlife and people suffering from PTSD in our area -- they get terrified by these horrible fireworks!"

Anonymous

"My dogs suffer from hearing loss and every year is the same problem -- the PTSD on my 2 dogs lasts weeks after the fireworks. A block away from my house, a house does fireworks a week before. The veterinarian bill is another very inconvenient thing for me."

Norma Anajel, District 3

"We are in a high fire risk area at the foot of Wildcat Canyon Park on Clark Road. We have called many times to report illegal fireworks that put our neighborhood in danger."

Becki Cohn-Vargas, District 4

"The noise and bangs out of nowhere, for no reason, affects my mental health. This plus my ESA dog shakes nonstop and hides, which doesn't help me get control of myself during these episodes." 

Anonymous, District 5

"My cat Keiko vs fireworks story is pretty simple. She tore a hole in the fabric covering the bottom of my bed’s boxspring and when there were fireworks she would hide inside the boxspring. She was terrified. When there were relatively constant fireworks, like around the fourth of July, I would only see her briefly when I fed her in the morning. She would come out to eat then hide again. When fireworks weren’t constant, she would be out and happy but would bolt for the bed whenever fireworks went off." 

John Tait, District 5

"Fireworks in our fire prone area are out of control New Year's Eve and July 4th every year. My dog gets really upset as do her humans. We have had to get through the holidays and just hope that the neighborhood is still intact after the booms are over."

Anonymous, District 4

"I have lived in Richmond Annex for over 30 years and I don't remember the fireworks ever being as bad as they were last year. Our poor dog was terrified even after getting anxiety meds. Unfortunately, he managed to escape and made it all the way to Berkeley! Luckily we got him back the next day when some wonderful people found him and called us." 

Constance Brown, District 5

"Every New Year’s Eve we leave town with our dog, Milo. We go to a quiet town and stay for a few days to protect Milo (and ourselves) from the noise and agitation of the fireworks. We would like to not have to leave town and hope that someday Richmond will be illegal fireworks free!"

Sue Edelstein, District 6

"I have one dog that is terrified of the fireworks. When they go off, she hides in the bathroom. We have to put the fan on and play the radio for her. On top of this, she gets a dose of CBD oil to put her to sleep. It is a mess!"

Anonymous, District 3

"My dog has passed but when she was here...the fireworks would go on for weeks prior to the 4th and a good week after. My dog would shake for hours. No matter how high the TV volume or how many drugs she was on she would be frantic for multiple hours a day. It wasn't just kids doing it, but also adults. Adults who know better and just don't give a damn."

L. Zephyr, District 3

"When we first moved in 19 years ago, we kind of thought the fireworks in the street in front of our house were fun, but that changed when we found ourselves stomping them out on our balcony.  Every year since I keep watch.  Also, my pets have always been terrified by them, and they go on for weeks and sometimes all night long."

Denise Abersold, District 3

"Last Christmas at around 12:00 am, the 22-yr old son of the renters next door was busy launching multiple rockets from their driveway. All our neighbors had left town. We were sick but managed to film him and his friends. The police came quickly but couldn't catch him in the act. They continued until 2:00 am. We talked to their landlord and things quieted down during New Year's, but they are just one of several families that light them in the vicinity of Grant Elementary school. Our area also gets non-neighbors who use the school's playground to launch M1000s."

Anonymous, District 6

"I was afraid the fireworks all around me on July 4 would set fire to our newly completed ADU" 

Julie Freestone, District 6

"Constant fireworks for days or weeks before and after mayor holidays, or for no reason at all, cause me and my dog serious stress and anxiety. One single firework, and my dog refuses to go out. I worry for the wildlife, too. There is no good reason to tolerate this assault on our senses and environment."

Nancy Powell, District 6

"My son with special needs struggles with getting enough sleep. Sleep is critical to his mental health. The fireworks disturb his sleep."

Kathleen Marte, District 3

"Dog terror. Fear of fire or other damage to property or self. Distress about ongoing or intermittent warlike noises and disruptions."

Terri Hinte, District 6

"I could not sleep because of the fireworks noise and was a wreck the next day at work."

Anonymous, District 5