The NYPD Community Response Team (CRT) apprehended illegal vendors Tuesday who locals say have caused major disruptions in Chinatown over the last several weeks.
Photo by Dean Moses
The NYPD Community Response Team (CRT) shut down and locked up numerous illegal vendors Tuesday who Chinatown residents say have caused major disruptions in the neighborhood over the last several weeks.
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Over the weekend, amNewYork Metro received several complaints from Lower Manhattanites about obstructed streets due to illegal vendors peddling their wares. On Sunday, Hester and Canal Streets became so congested that pedestrians struggled to push through the mass of merchants.
Over the weekend, New York Metro received several complaints from Lower Manhattanites about obstructed streets due to illegal vendors peddling their wares. On Sunday Hester Street and Canal Street became so congested pedestrians struggled to push their way through a deluge of merchants.Photo by Dean MosesOver the weekend, New York Metro received several complaints from Lower Manhattanites about obstructed streets due to illegal vendors peddling their wares. On Sunday Hester Street and Canal Street became so congested pedestrians struggled to push their way through a deluge of merchants.Photo by Dean MosesOver the weekend, New York Metro received several complaints from Lower Manhattanites about obstructed streets due to illegal vendors peddling their wares. On Sunday Hester Street and Canal Street became so congested pedestrians struggled to push their way through a deluge of merchants. Photo by Dean Moses
Some hawked bootleg handbags and baseball caps while others looked to sell watches and perfume. Several vendors even resorted to hard sell tactics, grabbing passersby in an attempt to sell what appeared to be AirPods and headphones.
“You can’t even walk down the street without someone throwing something in your face, and they don’t take no for an answer,” one female pedestrian told amNewYork Metro.
On Tuesday afternoon, the vendors were playing it safer, placing a few deales on the corner of Broadway and Canal Street who helped lure prospective customers to Howard Street and Broadway, where they opened a sack full of illegal items for sale.
On Tuesday afternoon the vendors were playing it safer, placing a few grifters on the corner of Broadway and Canal Street who would then lure prospective customers to Howard Street and Broadway where they open a sack full of illegal items. Photo by Dean MosesamNewYork Metro was on hand reporting on the transactions when the NYPD’s CRT unit arrived on the scene, sending the vendors runningPhoto by Dean MosesamNewYork Metro was on hand reporting on the transactions when the NYPD’s CRT unit arrived on the scene, sending the vendors runningPhoto by Dean Moses
amNewYork Metro was on hand reporting on the transactions when the NYPD’s CRT unit arrived on the scene, sending the vendors running.
The cops chased the suspects for several blocks, making a slew of arrests and recovering an array of illegal items. A large suitcase brimming with bootleg merchandise, a black suitcase overflowing with watches, and several black bags were among those recovered. Those cuffed were whisked to the 1st precinct.
Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry helped establish the CRT to tackle quality-of-life issues. According to Daughtry’s X account, has been attempting to remove illegal vendors from the street across Manhattan, citing dangers to the public and loss of revenue to local businesses.
A large suitcase brimming with bootleg merchandise, a black suitcase overflowing with watches, and several black bags were among that recoveredPhoto by Dean MosesA large suitcase brimming with bootleg merchandise, a black suitcase overflowing with watches, and several black bags were among that recoveredPhoto by Dean MosesThose cuffed were whisked to the 1st precinct.Photo by Dean Moses
