Brooklyn Community Board 7 Holds Meeting on New Year’s Eve to Discuss Street Vendor Issues on 5th and 8th Avenues.

On January 28th, the Brooklyn Community Board 7 (CB7) held a meeting to discuss the overcrowding issue of street vendors on 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue near Sunset Park. Representatives from the police department, fire department, sanitation department, as well as council members and community members were invited to discuss solutions.

Cynthia Felix, the chairperson of CB7’s Public Safety Subcommittee, highlighted the increasing number of street vendors on 5th and 8th Avenues in Sunset Park. Many unlicensed vendors have been impacting the community environment and public order. Residents and businesses have raised concerns about vendors occupying sidewalks, impeding pedestrian traffic, and affecting legitimate businesses.

The goal of the meeting was to initiate a city-wide collaborative action to ensure effective resolution of the issues. While the commercial activities along 5th and 8th Avenues thrive, it is imperative to ensure they operate within legal and safe parameters. The committee emphasized that addressing the vendor issue requires a combination of education and enforcement, urging residents to actively report problems for proper governmental action. To facilitate this, a community liaison officer will oversee police deployment to ensure smooth enforcement operations.

Regarding enforcement schedules, a representative from the New York Police Department (NYPD) mentioned adjusting police resources to accommodate potential changes in vendors’ operation hours based on enforcement schedules. Precincts 66 and 72 will collaborate to strengthen patrols and supervision to address any enforcement gaps.

The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) highlighted the unauthorized use of propane tanks by some vendors, posing serious safety hazards, especially near subway stations and residential areas. Food vendors are allowed a maximum of two 20-pound propane tanks, while food trucks must comply with FDNY permit regulations. Citizens can report violations through the 311 service, with FDNY committed to responding within 72 hours. For emergencies like propane used for open flames (e.g., grilling), calling 911 is necessary for immediate fire department intervention.

Concerning the use of propane tanks and open flames by food vendors, the FDNY representative clarified that unless vendors have specific permits, such practices are strictly prohibited to ensure compliance with fire and health regulations. For more information on safety and regulatory compliance, residents can visit the FDNY website at https://www.fdnysmart.org.

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) mentioned that some vendors and businesses have not properly managed waste, exacerbating environmental sanitation issues. DSNY will enhance supervision and collaborate with community organizations to promote waste segregation and cleaning initiatives.

Some businesses expressed concerns about unlicensed vendors offering low-priced goods, creating competition that hampers their survival. Additionally, unauthorized vending obstructs pedestrian and customer shopping experiences, potentially leading to safety risks.

Residents criticized the leniency of current enforcement mechanisms, noting that vendors swiftly resume operations even after fines. They urged the government to strengthen enforcement measures and establish clearer penalty frameworks to curb violations.

Council Member Alexa Avilés’ representative acknowledged that they support vendor businesses but criticized the rigid permit issuance system, preventing many vendors from legally operating. Efforts are underway to advocate for legislative changes to ensure a fairer permit application process for vendors. In light of economic challenges prompting many to turn to vending for livelihoods, policies must be humanely crafted to prevent individuals from entering the criminal justice system.

Stanley Ng, representing Council Member John Wang, emphasized the longstanding concern over vendors on 8th Avenue and street vending issues. Collaboration with precincts 62, 66, and 72 aims to address these concerns, allocating over $200,000 to community organizations for street cleaning initiatives.

The Department of Small Business Services in New York City seeks to understand the impact of vendors on businesses, acknowledging numerous complaints. The current fine system has proven ineffective in deterring violations due to low penalty amounts, leading some vendors to find economic benefits in paying fines over complying with regulations. Recommendations include revising laws to increase penalty amounts for violations and enhancing enforcement efforts.

During the meeting, District 38 Council candidate Lingxia Ye questioned the timing of the meeting held on Chinese New Year’s Eve, which hindered many Chinese residents from attending, thus impacting the Chinese community’s representation rights. Ye raised concerns that CB7’s scheduling overlooked Chinese customs, potentially showing bias against the Chinese community.

In response to the allegations, CB7 Chairman Julio Pena clarified that despite the timing, Chinese representatives participated online in the meeting. He explained that this was an initial discussion, with plans for future meetings to provide more opportunities for community residents to voice their opinions.

Cynthia Felix, the chair of CB7’s Public Safety Subcommittee, stressed that the meeting served as an initial platform to address vendor issues but acknowledged the need for further policy improvements. The committee plans to host follow-up meetings in collaboration with the 10th Community Board and work with the city government to ensure policies align with community needs.