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Vendors Fight For Fair Shake

Street vendors are calling on Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) to support a bill that would lessen fines for operating their businesses.

The Street Vendor Project stood outside of the Jamaica Center subway stop on Archer Avenue and Parsons Boulevard during rush hour July 14, asking those who passed by to sign a postcard to Comrie asking for his support on City Council bills 434 and 435.

If passed, the bills would lower the $1,000 maximum fine street vendors could be charged for violations and amend the law so unrelated violations would count as separate offenses, instead of being tacked on to previous violations.

"A $1,000 ticket is too much money for us," said Mohammed Haque who is a street vendor on 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. Haque said street vendors do not make a large enough profit to withstand such an exorbitant fine.

"Not only do they have to feed their families, pay their rent, but they also have to pay taxes," said James Williams, a member of the Street Vendor Project. "If the people can't afford to pay it, the City doesn't get anything."

Beye Moustine, who has been a vendor for four years, had once received three tickets in a day for street vendor violations, such as the table not being close enough to the curb. When fined, he fights the fines in court. Moustine said he has had to pay the $1,000 fine at least three times, making it difficult to cover other expenses.

Williams, who has been a vendor for eight years on Chambers Street, said he could receive a ticket if his table is too long or if he stepped away to use the restroom.

"It could be a good business, but it's not as good as it was years ago," Williams said.

He experienced fine trouble when he first became a street vendor, but said he studied the Dept. of Consumer Affairs' street vendor rules to ensure problems would not occur in the future.

The Street Vendor Project said law enforcement will sometimes target immigrant vendors who may not understand all of the regulations and write them multiple tickets a day.

More than 30 New York City Council members have signed on to the bill, including Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) and James Sanders (D-Laurelton). The Street Vendor Project met with Comrie's staff two months ago. According to Williams, the office said it would get back to the group after reviewing the bill. They have called and e-mailed on several occasions, but have not yet received a definitive stance on the legislation from the councilman.

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