Some local businesses, community activists and drivers are fed up with the moving trucks parked at Corona Plaza on Roosevelt Avenue and National Street.
Dr. Ruben Diaz, a dentist who has been working across the street from Corona Plaza for 11 years, said the parking problem with the moving trucks has been going on for over a decade. He said he is upset that local politicians have not done anything about it yet.
“Those trucks have always been there,” Diaz said. “There is nobody that can do anything.”
The moving trucks are operated by mostly unlicensed companies that serve the Latino community of Corona and other parts of Queens. People go to them because it is cheaper to hire them than pay licensed professionals. That’s why many movers park near the plaza by the No. 7 line’s 103rd Street station to find customers.
According to city’s Department of Transportation (DOT), anyone parking at a meter is required to pay the rate and is only permitted to park for the amount of time displayed on the parking sign. But some of the drivers of the moving trucks park in a metered space for longer than the two-hour time allowed, which is a violation that carries a penalty of $35. DOT spokesperson Monty Dean said the enforcement of the traffic rules is handled by the New York Police Department (NYPD).
Ruben Peña, president of the community organization Corona Community Action Network (Corona CAN), said he wants the moving trucks to leave the area so that visitors can park and shop.
“The only problem that we have is the infamous moving trucks that occupy the meters every day,” Peña. “It is an inconvenience for the local businesses.”
Javier, who did not want give his last name, has been working as a mover out of Corona Plaza since 1996. The Ecuadorian native said he knows that it is difficult to find parking in the area, but that it’s not because of the moving trucks. He said he knows what they are doing is not legal, but he said they are providing a good service to the community and they pay insurance to do it.
“The businesses accept us,” Javier said. “Like any situation, there are people who are upset. They have their right to complain. Instead of fighting the moving companies they need to fight against drugs and liquor.”
Javier said four years ago when the local business Andaluz Multiservices was robbed of nearly $24,000, one of the drivers of the moving truck followed the cab the robber had jumped into after the heist all the way to the Triborough Bridge until the cops were able to apprehend the thief. He said this incident shows the positive relationship between them and local business.
Javier said for the most part the police officers from the 110th Precinct don’t bother them. The police just want to make sure that they park correctly and they keep the area clean.
“The problem is when vans come and they don’t have a commercial sign,” Javier said. “The cops don’t like that.”
Jose Reyes, who lives and drives in Corona, said whenever he comes to Corona Plaza to run errands, he has a hard time trying to find parking because the moving trucks and the taxis take most of the parking spaces.
“After you past 103rd Street, you can’t find parking,” Reyes said. “There are too many taxis and moving trucks that park.”
State Senator Jose Peralta, who represents the area, said DOT points the finger at the NYPD since it is responsible for the enforcement and the city’s Department of Consumer Affairs said it can’t do anything since the companies are not licensed. Peralta said the police should just be able to confiscate their trucks since they are not licensed. A spokesperson for the NYPD said the 110th precinct commander is aware of the situation and will have officers monitoring the area.
“It is really chaotic,” Peralta said. “All the agencies need to work together and not point the finger at each other.”’
