KINGSTON, Jamaica — Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Public Safety & Traffic Enforcement Branch, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gary McKenzie is warning the public against the use of firecrackers which can cause severe damage.

Early Tuesday morning, videos circulated on social media showing three young boys throwing firecrackers, popularly known locally as “clappas”, into vehicles at a traffic light along Hagley Park Road in St Andrew.

Speaking with Observer Online, ACP McKenzie said he had not seen the video, but reminded the public that firecrackers are illegal and advised against engaging in such activities, noting that ‘clappas’ are a form of explosives.

“As we approach the end of the year and certainly this Christmas season, usually we have fireworks, we have persons bursting firecrackers and so on. Firecrackers are really illegal. As a matter of fact, it is a form of explosive and so we are advising against this,” McKenzie said.

“As a matter of fact, we shouldn’t underestimate the fact that these clappas could cause some damage, especially if they go off near to petrol and so on,” he continued.

Noting that the Towns and Communities Act, the Customs Act and the Gunpowder and Explosives Act allow provisions for individuals to set off fireworks which have to be applied for through the Ministry of National Security or the Custos of the various parishes, ACP McKenzie said without such authorisation, no fireworks should take place.

“Once clappas are heard, then the advice is that the police are to be notified. Persons need to know that once the police discover or gain intelligence that there are any explosives or firecrackers anywhere then once they investigate and find those then the requisite charges can be laid against them,” ACP McKenzie explained.

“We want people to be safe, we want people to enjoy themselves but it must be done in conformity with the law,” he added.