Senator Joseph Addabbo has been working closely with the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to address the growing problem of unlicensed fruit vending in his district, which has become a significant concern for local residents.
The illegal vendors have created disturbances in the community by blocking sidewalks, crosswalks, and bus stops while selling unregulated goods.
Addabbo represents the Senate’s 15th District, which includes the neighborhoods of Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill, Lindenwood, South Ozone Park and South Richmond Hill.
Following constituents’ complaints about the negative impact of these operations, Addabbo, in collaboration with community leaders and governmental agencies, sent a formal letter to then DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch requesting immediate action.
In the letter, Addabbo urged the agencies to enforce and collaborate on targeted sweeps of licensed and unlicensed vendors to protect local businesses and enhance the quality of life for residents in the surrounding neighborhood.
“I am writing on behalf of my constituents, who are increasingly concerned about the negative impact of illegal vending has on our local economy and neighborhood safety,” Addabbo wrote. “It is crucial that we take decisive action to follow the current laws of our city and support our legitimate business owners. I urge the city agencies to collaborate on a series of targeted enforcement sweeps to address this issue head-on.”
In response, the DSNY has been swift in taking action, issuing violations, and confiscating the illegal produce.
“I applaud the DSNY for their speedy action in beginning to eradicate the illegal vending operations that have been creating dangerous situations in the community like blocking sidewalks, crosswalks, and bus stops, selling illegal goods, among other offenses,” Addabbo stated.
“My office team and I will remain vigilant in monitoring the status of this progress to ensure that it continues until all illegal street vending operations have ceased. I want to also take a moment to also thank the NYPD for dealing with open flame issues along Jamaica Avenue – combating the scourge of illegal vending operations requires a multi-agency effort to make it happen.”
The targeted areas for the crackdown have included high-traffic locations such as Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard, Jamaica Avenue/Forest Parkway, and the stretch from Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard to 112th Street.
During several inspections, the DSNY conducted 45 visits to the Jamaica Avenue corridor alone, issuing multiple summonses and seizing thousands of pounds of illegal produce. Depending on their condition, the confiscated goods were either donated or composted.
Addabbo stressed that while progress has been made, a sustained, coordinated effort is necessary to fully resolve the issue. He emphasized that a successful resolution requires continuous collaboration between multiple city agencies, including the DSNY and NYPD.
