Firecrackers Anonymously Hand-in Posing Hidden Danger

By Cui Shuncheng

On January 8, Xue Liyong, a policeman from Guangzhong Road Police Station, Public Security Bureau Hongkou Branch, received a call from worker of Residents’ Committee saying that he had found a packet of firecrackers in front of the Committee. Hanging off, Xue went there immediately and saw what has been told, ownerless firecrackers. There were 24 soaring firecrackers and a string of 2,000 small crackers. Dusting the outer packing, Xue found that the firecrackers made in 2015 were apparently expired product. As thus, Xue said that the initiative of handing in fireworks and crackers is worthy of acknowledgement, but such disposal method of throwing them at the door of Committee was undesirable as passers-by might take them away or someone lit them up deliberately. As a result, such behavior would do no good to fireworks and crackers control, but to pose hidden danger.

But this case is not alone. Qin Xizhong, community police of Tilanqiao Police Station, also received a packet of firecrackers from an anonymous person several days ago. But Qin had the idea who did it because a few days before, an elderly resident came to enquiry about the policy banning fireworks and crackers. Committee workers and Qin received the elderly man patiently and informed him that those who turn in firecracker, if any stocked at home, can exchange it for small gifts. When asked if there were any firecrackers in the house, the man left without answering.

Qin said that since the prohibition on fireworks and crackers within the outer ring of Shanghai, residents have occasionally come to ask for changes in policy. Most of them are elderly residents over 70 years old as they have the habit of retaining old things. Furthermore, with nowhere to buy, older people tend to keep the old firecrackers in case of a "rainy day". In such cases, community police will specially strengthen the promotion of banning on fireworks and crackers amid residents of this age group during daily visits.

Police warn that being flammable and explosive, fireworks and crackers pose security risks if stored in houses. They encourage residents to submit actively the remaining by rewarding the opportunity to exchange for small gifts.