On May 30th, Republican candidate for New York Governor, Bruce Blakeman, independent journalist Nick Shirley, and social media influencer Joe Sweeny, among others, held a community clean-up event on Canal Street in Chinatown. They voiced their support for local residents and businesses troubled by illegal street vendors, counterfeit goods, and security issues, urging the state and city government to strengthen law enforcement and improve the community environment.
According to the New York Post, Nassau County Executive Blakeman stated that the quality of life and public safety in Chinatown had been deteriorating over the past six months. Unauthorized street vendors, counterfeit goods transactions, and hygiene issues such as public urination have been rampant. He criticized the lack of effective action by the city and state government in addressing these problems, promising tougher security and enforcement measures if he wins the November gubernatorial election.
“The quality of life and safety in this community have continued to deteriorate in the past six months. Unlicensed street vendors selling counterfeit goods are everywhere, and this situation must be rectified,” Blakeman said.
Although federal immigration enforcement agencies conducted multiple raids on counterfeit goods vendors last year, the event organizers and some conservatives believe that fundamental improvements have not been made. Some residents and businesses have noted a continual worsening of the situation since the new city administration took office earlier this year.
However, during the nearly two-hour gathering and clean-up event that day, there were no signs of illegal street vendors present. It was reported that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) had recently carried out enforcement operations in the area, possibly contributing to the temporary decrease in street vending activity.