With the arrival of autumn, many Chinese Americans are reaping the harvest of the vegetables and fruits they have grown in their backyard. In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of people setting up stalls in the bustling center of Flushing, New York to sell their produce. Additionally, Hispanic vendors, attracted by the remarkable foot traffic in the Flushing center, have also joined in the “grabbing stalls” action on the streets of Flushing, making the already overcrowded Main St. even more congested.
However, law enforcement agencies are keeping a close eye on the situation, with inspections and enforcement actions visibly on the rise. According to a release from the office of Councilmember Yen Min-yee of the 20th District, during a half-month period from July 28 to August 10, the New York City Police Department’s 109th Precinct and the Department of Sanitation conducted over 140 inspections, issued 91 summonses, and confiscated 104 batches of items, totaling 40,000 pounds of food. Of this, 19,000 pounds of confiscated food were donated, while the remaining 21,525 pounds were composted.
Councilmember Yen Min-yee praised the crackdown on illegal street vending by the police and sanitation department. She stated that taking stronger and sustained action is exactly what the community needs in terms of law enforcement. Illegal vendors have persistently flouted the rules, setting up shop again the day after being cleared out. This intensified enforcement sends a clear message: illegal vending in the Flushing center will not be tolerated.
The office of Yen Min-yee noted that rampant illegal vending activities continue to worsen sidewalk congestion, posing a safety threat to elderly shoppers, parents pushing strollers, commuters, and residents with mobility challenges. This phenomenon also brings unfair competition to brick-and-mortar stores – these establishments are required to pay rent, taxes, and operational permits, whereas unlicensed vendors often sell food in unsanitary conditions without oversight. Furthermore, the waste left behind by these vendors drains resources from the Flushing Business Improvement District and the Department of Sanitation.
The Flushing center strictly prohibits illegal street vending, a regulation that was legislated in September 2018 and implemented in April 2019. Through Yen Min-yee’s advocacy, the enforcement units transitioned from being understaffed personnel at the City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to having uniformed enforcement officers at the Department of Sanitation.
Administrative Director of the Flushing Business Improvement District, Yu Diansong, expressed that illegal vending has long been harming the quality of life and tarnishing the image of downtown Flushing. Law-abiding businesses have been forced to compete with vendors who don’t pay rent or follow the rules for too long. Strengthened enforcement demonstrates the government’s commitment to public safety and fair competition.