On October 17th, Senator Yuwen Qu of Brooklyn announced the introduction of a new legislation, “S9924A,” aimed at strengthening the safety measures for food delivery workers and ensuring the stability of the food delivery system in New York. This legislation categorizes attacks against food delivery workers as Class E felonies, addressing the increasing number of assault incidents faced by these workers in the city.
Delivery workers are the lifeline for many New Yorkers, tirelessly delivering fresh meals to our doorsteps day and night. Senator Qu emphasized that these workers, who serve the community, should not have to worry about their own safety. Unfortunately, these workers often work late into the night in dangerous environments, making them easy targets for physical assaults, harassment, and theft. It is time for us to take serious action to ensure their safety.
According to the summary of the bill, since 2010, New York City has seen a continuous growth in platform-based food delivery orders, especially reaching a peak during the pandemic. The most recent data from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) shows that there are approximately 61,000 delivery workers in the city. A study by City Health Magazine revealed that 66.9% of delivery workers rely on this as their livelihood, with 20.8% encountering attacks during work. Just four months ago, a delivery worker in Bensonhurst was stabbed in the chest during a robbery while on duty. Similar incidents are not uncommon.
The aim of this legislation is to classify attacks against delivery workers as Class E felonies, similar to recent protective measures for retail workers. The minimum imprisonment term for a Class E felony is one year, with a maximum term of five years. Senator Qu expressed her hope that by categorizing the assault of food or grocery delivery workers as Class E felonies, it will send a clear message to attackers that they cannot escape legal consequences.
This bill has received support from food delivery application platforms such as Grubhub and DoorDash.
During a press conference, many members of the Chinese community expressed concerns about current public safety issues. Li Zhipo, President of the Bay Parkway Merchants Association, shared a recent case where a member was robbed and assaulted while delivering food on 86th Street. Despite reporting the incident, the police treated both parties involved as if it was just a fight, which was highly unjust to the victim.
He emphasized that it is the responsibility of the police to distinguish right from wrong, gather evidence for preliminary assessment, and leave the final judgment to the judiciary. He expressed support for Senator Yuwen Qu’s efforts to strengthen penalties through legislation.
Mr. Zhang, a delivery worker, recounted his own experience of being robbed at gunpoint, where the perpetrator took his food containers, cash, and even punched him before leaving. He mentioned that these criminals often target Chinese individuals because they know that due to language barriers or reluctance to go to court, Chinese victims may be hesitant to report the crimes. Such a deteriorating public safety situation has made their lives extremely unsettling.