"I don't get why people are so obsessed with fireworks," said Tom Butt, the Mayor of Richmond.
[Ads /]
He says illegal fireworks have been almost a nightly occurrence this year.
RELATED: San Francisco New Year's Eve to be without fireworks, crowds
"I think it's related to COVID. They just keep going off. People complain bitterly about the fireworks. It wakes them up, their pets go crazy," he said.
It's also an enforcement issue. He says police are aware, but have little success trying to track people down.
"The biggest problem they have is by the time they get a complaint, it's all over," said Butt.
RELATED: San Francisco police to crack down on non-virtual NYE gatherings, conduct DUI patrols
While one would normally expect fireworks on New Year's Eve, Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo says, he's noticed an increase as well.
[Ads /]
"For the last several years it's gotten really out of control," said Gallo.
He says responding to reports of illegal fireworks are not high priority calls for the Oakland Police Department.
"It's an issue of enforcement. In certain neighborhoods it is not as great as it should be," said Gallo.
WATCH: Here's a look back at San Francisco's New Year's Eve fireworks show from years past
There's also the issue of accidental injuries. With ICU beds in the region dangerously full already, Mayor Butts says more fireworks means more injuries.
"I don't think a 4th of July or New Years goes by where someone doesn't get seriously injured," he said.
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- These 13 people defined the Bay Area in 2020
- Looking back at how the COVID-19 pandemic controlled the year
- Final goodbye: Remembering influential people who died in 2020
- The year in pictures: National Geographic looks back at 2020 for better or worse
- See who's performing on 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' 2021 on ABC
- See who's hosting 'New Year's Rockin' Eve'
- Virtual New Year's Eve parties selling for anywhere from a few dollars to more than $2,000
- These stores will be open on New Year's Eve
- Happy New Year's Eve! World says a long-awaited 'goodbye' to 2020
- These are the 23 states raising the minimum wage in 2021
- 25,000 tweets and counting: President Trump's legacy, by the numbers
- Expect super total lunar eclipse, seasonal blue moon in 2021
- A unique choice for Time's Person of the Year
- LeBron James named TIME's 2020 Athlete of the Year, recognized for achievements on and off the court
- Oxford English Dictionary couldn't pick just one 'word of the year' for 2020
- Presidential election, COVID-19 pandemic, economy stand out on Google's 2020 Year in Search trends
- Crews add final touches to New Year's Eve crystal ball in Times Square
- Graton Casino cancels 4,000-person New Year's Eve party
- Beverly Hills restaurant planning secret New Year's dinner despite COVID-19 closures
- 'I am still here': Oakland restaurant owner looks back on rough 2020
- Teen who led Golden Gate Bridge protest shares how life changed
- Kamala Harris' biggest Bay Area fan reflects on Biden victory
- Looking back at Billy Porter's most dazzling fashion moments of 2020
- Gunshots or fireworks: Here's how to tell the difference
[Ads /]