A petition signed by residents fed up with hearing the sound of fireworks in Lehighton continues to be circulated.

The noise started on June 5, and hasn’t stopped since, according to resident Annette Tenisci, who started the appeal.

“People came in from (New) Jersey to see my neighbors, these were not kids,” Tenisci said. “They just kind of took over the street, were stopping cars.”

Tenisci said the people became testy when asked to refrain from the activity.

“We asked them politely to stop, they give us a hard time (and), they were just all over the place,” she said. “They threatened one of my neighbors with firepower.”

Tenisci said the fireworks continued on June 6 in the Housing Authority parking lot, and added they have been set off at First and Bankway streets as well.

“I am all for fireworks (but), there’s a time and place for setting off fireworks,” she said. “Embers are coming down on our homes, and I have oxygen in my house, my husband has severe anxiety, severe PTSD; this is also putting firefighters at risk when they have to come.”

Tenisci said it became apparent the time for action was now, and that a copy of the petition has been presented to the borough police department along with Carbon County Commissioners.

“We just decided we had enough,” she said. “We had multiple neighbors that called police that night (June 5/6), and no one responded.”

Tenisci said she doesn’t fault police, but something needs to be done. “It’s a hazard. I really don’t want them to drop the ball on this.

“I understand police have a hard time, (but) people have to start turning their neighbors in,” she said. “We can’t expect them to find them for us.”

Which is why Tenisci said it’s of paramount importance for residents to stick together.

“I do understand police have a hard job to do, and would like to see maybe a new ordinance passed,” she said. “And, if people can help the police out in any way, give the addresses out.”

Borough police Chief Brian Biechy said the mayor and the borough’s police fire safety committee plans to discuss the situation this week.

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said she’s aware of the petition, which she said has 35 signatures on it.

“I received the petition and forwarded it to council just to bring them up to date,” Beckett said.

At present, Tenisci said she believes there’s close to 50 signatures on the petition, adding “it sort of took on a life of its own.”

“It’s pretty ridiculous; we’re afraid to go outside, they’re really rude, they’re combative,” she said. “Myself and my neighbors are concerned that something bad is going to happen if something isn’t done.”

Tenisci said she plans to present the petition at the next meeting of borough council, scheduled for 7 p.m. July 6.

Lehighton isn’t the only local community that’s had to deal with fireworks.

In August, Slatington Borough Council unanimously agreed to adopt the ordinance, which bans setting off consumer grade fireworks between the hours of 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., unless a special permit has been sought for an event.

Under the ordinance, a person caught using the fireworks or in possession of the fireworks can be cited. The property owner and the tenant also can be cited for the firework violation, even if they did not light the firework.

The ordinance also bans the use of consumer fireworks on all borough property including parks, buildings, other structures, streets, sidewalks and rights of way, unless a special permit is secured.

Offenders would face a $50 to $100 fine for the first offense, according to Slatington’s proposed ordinance. A second violation carries a fine of $100 to $300. A third violation and each subsequent violation has a fine of $500 to $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail.

Slatington council’s decision to adopt the ordinance came one month after borough police Chief David Rachman said the borough’s police department received numerous complaints over the long holiday weekend from residents about fireworks going off in their neighborhoods.

Last July, Franklin Township supervisors were asked by a resident to consider a fireworks ordinance.

The township currently does not have a fireworks ordinance.

The state enacted Act 43 in 2017, which allows residents to buy larger fireworks, like Roman candles and bottle rockets.

Previously, residents could only legally purchase ground-based fireworks, such as fountains.