'Big, big booms:' Residents have mixed feelings on fireworks in Milwaukee neighborhoods

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Social media has been abuzz with firework complaints.

Firework sales have gone up, but not everyone is a fan of the noise.

There are complaints in various neighborhoods across Milwaukee.

Riverwest is one where some, but not all, people want the nightly fireworks to stop.

One person, in a Riverwest Facebook group wrote, “No more fireworks! You are freaking me and all of our neighbors out.”

Resident Hannah Leigh has heard them.

“They’re just like big, big booms," Leigh said.

Nick Rosenow said he’s heard them for at least a month and a half.

“People just like to blast out fireworks especially like late at night, like 3:30 a.m. too," Rosenow said.

But they’re not bothered.

“I’ve been letting off fireworks for nine years now and I think people are just going to light them off if they want to," he added.

As protests for racial justice continue in Milwaukee, Leigh believes the fireworks are for more than just celebration.

“Just to bring attention, you know, what’s happening to our city, what’s happening with our people," Leigh said.

But she added that she empathizes with those who’d rather not hear them.

"I do definitely feel bad for the people that it does, I know some people have PTSD. I know some dogs definitely are not fans of fireworks.”

Fireworks are illegal in the city of Milwaukee. Violations for setting the off could be as high as $1,000.