In the bustling Chinatown of Manhattan, New York City, the problem of fake goods being sold on sidewalk stalls has long been a notorious issue. The sight of sellers and buyers crowding the sidewalks for transactions has become all too common, leading to frequent complaints from local residents and commercial building owners. Recently, a group of sellers has emerged, actively peddling fake Apple headphones to passersby, much to the dismay of landlords. These sellers not only disrupt the businesses of storefront tenants but also hurl abusive language at approaching law enforcement officers, making it difficult for the landlords to hire security personnel.
During the NYPD Chinatown 5th Precinct Community Council meeting held on the evening of April 24, four landlords, including Sammy Sheikh and Michael Salzhauer, expressed their concerns to Precinct Commander Tao Chen about the sudden influx of fake goods sellers along a stretch of Canal St, between Lafayette St and Broadway in Chinatown.
Sheikh, who owns property at 253 Canal St, shared his firsthand experience witnessing dozens of fake goods sellers surround a male officer from the 5th Precinct outside a KFC in Chinatown, insulting the lone officer as he attempted to apprehend the sellers. The situation not only deterred Sheikh from recording the incident for fear of his safety but also raised concerns about potentially losing tenants due to the chaos caused by the sellers.
When asked why he didn’t hire security for his own property, Sheikh explained that if these sellers weren’t afraid of the police, they wouldn’t be intimidated by security guards either. He emphasized that jewelry store tenants had complained about the fake goods sellers blocking the entrance, deterring customers from entering. Even when authorities were called, the sellers simply returned to their spots after the police left.
Salzhauer, in charge of managing property adjacent to Sheikh at 254 Canal St, also voiced his frustrations about the increased presence of fake goods sellers. He highlighted how these sellers not only scare off potential customers but also engage in violent confrontations among themselves, necessitating police intervention to maintain order.
In response to landlords requesting increased police presence to tackle the fake goods issue, Commander Chen acknowledged their concerns as a priority task. However, he noted the existing strain on precinct resources due to various ongoing duties, such as monitoring protests related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, patrolling the Brooklyn Bridge, attending Trump court hearings, safeguarding Roosevelt Park, responding to civilian reports, and combating retail theft.
“We hope for everyone’s patience,” stated Commander Chen. From the beginning of this year to April 24, the 5th Precinct, along with the 1st Precinct and the Manhattan South Patrol Borough, collectively addressed 45 cases related to fake goods.
Commander Chen clarified that for law enforcement to apprehend sellers of fake goods, officers must witness repeated incidents of selling fake goods to establish intent before making an arrest. Following the arrest of these sellers, confiscated fake goods are processed through the criminal justice system, including summonses to appear in court.
“The NYPD is committed to combating this issue of fake goods and will collaborate with the federal Department of Homeland Security for a solution,” Chen assured. “We will strive to deploy more officers on the streets to disassociate Chinatown from counterfeit goods.”
Despite some landlords expressing impatience, claiming that “commercial tenants cannot wait,” Community Council Chairman Jonathan Chu defended the officers, emphasizing their dedication to improving the quality of life for residents. He highlighted the administrative nature of their enforcement duties, indicating that legislative changes are beyond their purview and fall under the jurisdiction of elected officials.
Councilman Christopher Marte’s office representing the Chinatown district did not have a representative present at the Community Council meeting. However, responding to complaints from landlords about rampant counterfeit goods in Chinatown and suggestions for legislative amendments, a spokesperson stated, “My office has collaborated with the 1st Precinct and the Mayor’s office to combat the vendors selling fake goods on Canal St.”
“We have seen a significant decrease in complaints about counterfeit stalls on Canal St. Unfortunately, some vendors have shifted their operations elsewhere in Chinatown. Like our collaboration with the 1st Precinct, we will work with the 5th Precinct to address these issues and identify resources to put an end to illicit counterfeit vendors. Selling fake goods is already illegal, so no new legislation is required,” the statement concluded.