NYC cracking down on Fordham Road street vendors without permits

THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) -- It's a living nightmare for Fordham Road street vendors. Many of them are dealing with authorities shutting them down and giving them summonses because they don’t have the required permits.

The New York City Department of Sanitation said it has issued 223 summonses in the Bronx, which includes the section of Fordham Road, during its first year of enforcement. That is from April 1, 2023, to the end of March of this year. 

Javier Rojas and Dolores Murga were not just setting up their tacos and jewelry table on Fordham Road Monday afternoon. They were also thinking about how they are going to be able to afford to pay a total of $4,000 in summonses they were issued last week.

“Do you think that’s possible? You think it's correct? The police put $2,000 for two people,” said Rojas.

The Street Vendor Project is backing the vendors.

"It is really disappointing to see how the city is dealing with street vendors with an enforcing-only approach and there is nothing to support the vendor community. There are no resources, no education, no outreach,” said Mohamed Attia, managing director at the Street Vendor Project.

The Department of Sanitation said that since assuming responsibility for the Office of Street Vendor Enforcement in March of 2023, it has posted more than 100 warning signs. It also said that its enforcement is focused on situations where vending has created dirty conditions and safety issues. 

“Right now new vendors cannot obtain a proper permit or license from the city. There is a very long waiting list. No one can apply for a permit until they are called off that waitlist,” said Attia.

The Department of Sanitation informed that for vendors who want to be in compliance with the rules, it has educational tips available in 12 languages. You can find more information on the Department of Sanitation website.