Cops comb streets for illegal fireworks

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The Albuquerque Fire Department and the Albuquerque Police Department were out in full force on Saturday night to crack down on illegal fireworks.

Fireworks, both legal and illegal, lit up the Albuquerque sky on the Fourth of July.

The Albuquerque Fire Marshall's Office had the challenging task of pinpointing who set illegal fireworks off and where they came from.

If authorities could locate the culprits, they would then issue citations.

Patrols roamed the streets listening and watching for the skies to light up.

This year, Albuquerque Police Officers teamed up with firefighters because it can be dangerous to hand out citations.

Several violators got slapped with citations. One citation was given for having illegal fireworks and another was given if officers saw violators ignite an illegal firework.

Those caught red-handed with illegal fireworks face a possible 90 days in prison and up to a $500 fine.

There were nearly a dozen teams searching neighborhoods across Albuquerque.

Fire officials wrote out 27 citations Saturday night. They say that number is down from last year.