D.C. police will target neighborhoods for rogue fireworks and send out two-man scout cars to respond to thousands of pyrotechnics calls they expect to receive today.

Last year, residents complained of getting shot at by bottle rockets. Two years ago, a group of teens and young adults operated their own fireworks show at the hill at 13th and Clifton in Northwest, ruining the real show for those who gathered at the National Mall. Police have vowed to have a contingent of officers there this year.

Officers are asking residents to be patient as they run from call to call.

“The volume of calls will be tremendous,” 4th District Commander Linda Brown said. “The response will still take time.”

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Police and fire marshals are also cracking down on the sale of illegal fireworks.

In the last week, undercover officers have attempted to buy illegal fireworks from the stands around the city, said D.C. Assistant Police Chief Diane Grooms. Teams of police and fire department officials are going to confiscate illegal merchandise and issue citations for those in violation.

On the Mall and at the Capitol today, hundreds of D.C. police, U.S. Park Police, Capitol Police and other emergency responders will be on duty. Hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors are expected to watch the fireworks on the Mall over the Reflecting Pool, D.C. officials said. The fireworks will begin at 9:10 p.m. this year.

Although fire officials still say the best way to avoid firework injuries is to leave the explosives to the professionals, it’s not a guarantee.

Last year, an employee of the company that orchestrated the Mall fireworks was severely injured when a shell exploded about 15 minutes after the show ended. In Vienna, two adults and five children were hospitalized when a mortar went into the crowd.

District officials reminded residents to practice caution and follow all safety rules if using fireworks in their home celebrations. In D.C., any fireworks or firecrackers that explode — such as cherry bombs, Roman candles or floral shells — are illegal.

Some fireworks are permitted such as torches and cones, sparklers less than 20 inches long, paper novelty items, and colored lights.

smccabe@dcexaminer.com