Council Member Sandra Ung met with representatives from the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and the New York Police Department (NYPD) on Thursday, Sept. 19, to discuss the persistent issue of unlicensed vending in downtown Flushing.
The meeting commenced at the busy intersection of 38th Avenue and Main Street. The group proceeded south along Main Street, stopping at Municipal Lot #2 on 39th Avenue to examine areas where unlicensed fruit vendors store their goods on public property.
During the meeting, Council Member Ung expressed gratitude to Antonio Whitaker, assistant director of Community Affairs at DSNY, for a recent enforcement sweep that resulted in six inspections and the confiscation of 100 pounds of illegally sold fruit.
However, she also stressed the need for sustained enforcement and urged the NYPD and DSNY to collaborate with other city agencies to implement a comprehensive strategy to tackle this ongoing issue.
“While I appreciate the efforts made by the NYPD and DSNY, we need to maintain a consistent and visible presence in Flushing to enforce the laws regarding unlicensed vending,” said Council Member Ung. “This is not just about keeping our streets orderly—it’s about ensuring public safety and protecting the well-being of our community.”
Since taking office in 2022, Ung has made addressing unlicensed vending a priority. Her advocacy was instrumental in the Adams administration’s reversal of a previous transfer of vendor enforcement to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, which operated with limited resources.
“Today, the responsibility lies with DSNY, which has a dedicated street vendor enforcement team in each borough, working collaboratively with the NYPD,” Ung noted. “This partnership is crucial for our community.”
In 2018, the City Council enacted legislation designating a no-vending zone in a significant area of downtown Flushing, prohibiting general vending even with a valid license. This area is critical as it includes the intersection of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue, the third-busiest intersection in New York City.
“This is a vital transportation hub and a key retail corridor,” Ung said. “Together, with continued enforcement and cooperation, we can ensure that Flushing remains a safe and vibrant neighborhood.”
