Crime & Safety

Fireworks Parking Restrictions on July 3

Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen J. DuBois is invoking his "Emergency Powers" for certain parking restrictions near the annual July 3 fireworks display.

Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen J. DuBois is invoking his "Emergency Powers" to order parking restrictions on some city streets on July 3 for the annual fireworks display.

No parking will be permitted on the following streets, with the exception of residents only, due to the fireworks:

1. Parrott Avenue 
2. Junkins Avenue
3. Mt. Vernon Street 
4. Pleasant Street 
5. South Street from Miller to Marcy 
6. Richmond Street 
7. Rogers Street 
8. Edward Street 
9. Livermore Street 
10. Wentworth Street 
11. Melcher Street 
12. Whidden Street
13. Franklin Street
14. Pickering Street
15. Hunking Street
16. Gardner Street
17. Gates Street
18. Howard Street
19. Elwyn Avenue
20. Sherburne Avenue
21. Rockland Street
22. Kent Street
23. Richards Avenue

Below is additional July 3 fireworks safety and closure information from the Portsmouth Police Department, via a department press release:

Vehicles will be towed from the South Mill Pond playground parking lot on Junkins Avenue beginning at 10 a.m. on July 3rd, 2014 due to the close proximity of loaded fireworks tubes. 

Vehicles parked on Parrott Avenue between Richards Avenue to Junkins Avenue will be towed beginning at noon on July 3rd, 2014. The tennis courts/basketball courts/playground areas and baseball areas will be closed by noon on July 3rd, 2014. Limited handicapped parking will be available at the Public Library. The Parking Garage will charge a flat $3 fee for parking during the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 3rd, 2014.

The Dog Park will be closed from 6 a.m. on Thursday July 3rd, 2014 to 10 a.m. on Friday, July 4th, 2014. Dog owners are reminded of the city ordinance forbidding dogs from any park where the Recreation Department holds scheduled programs. This includes Leary and Central Fields, South Playground and the Connie Bean Playground.

The Portsmouth Public Library will close at 5 p.m. on July 3rd, 2014.

Vendors will be permitted on the north side (Portsmouth Junior High School side) of Parrott Avenue only. Vendors must be properly licensed by the City of Portsmouth.

Residents are reminded that fireworks, including sparklers, are not permitted as per City Ordinance. 

Heavy traffic and very long delays are expected after the fireworks.
The Annual Fireworks Celebration is an alcohol free family event (the fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. sharp). 

To help provide a safe environment for the fireworks event, the Portsmouth Police Department will have numerous officers on foot patrol throughout the night. We will also deploy DWI Patrols for the hours following the event. Chief DuBois and members of the Portsmouth Police Department wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July holiday.


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