Bushwick Plaza cleanup sparks debate over street vendors, city enforcement
Following a wave of 311 complaints, DSNY conducted two enforcement operations over the past two weeks at Wyckoff Plaza.
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The Department of Sanitation says it’s cracking down on illegal vending and trash buildup outside the Myrtle-Wyckoff subway station, but the effort is drawing a mixed reaction from residents in the area.
Following a wave of 311 complaints, DSNY conducted two enforcement operations over the past two weeks at Wyckoff Plaza. The agency reported 26 inspections, 15 confiscations, 12 summonses issued and nearly 6,000 pounds of food donated, focusing on vendors they say were creating a safety hazard and only taking equipment they describe as abandoned and illegal.
Despite those actions, trash and what appear to be illegal vendors remained visible at the plaza this week, prompting some residents to call for stricter measures.
“They act like they pick up trash, but in reality, [vendors] leave a lot behind, boxes, fruit they don’t want,” said John, a nearby resident. “Removing one or two vendors is not helping anything.”
DSNY says it is only targeting unlicensed vendors who leave behind waste.
While some residents want all vendors removed, others say the city should support them, not penalize them.
“There’s trash all over New York. I don’t blame the vendors for it,” said Marianne, who lives nearby.
“They add a lot of character to the area and offer cheap food options,” added Laura. “If the city didn’t fine them, they could save up and get the licenses.”
Currently, the city has a backlog of rental license applications, with a yearslong waiting list that is currently the subject of reform in City Council.
Concerns about food safety and law enforcement were mixed.
Izzy, another resident, said he’s never had issues with the vendors, saying they were a reliable supply of cheap food for the area that residents have grown fond of.
"These are nice people she said.
Marianne added, “If they’re selling without a license, that’s breaking the rules, but maybe the rules should change.”
Council Member Sandy Nurse told News 12 the plaza was originally designed to host community programs and serve as a public rest space.
“Right now, it is not able to be a space for all those activities,” she said.
Nurse added she supports efforts to clean up the plaza while also advocating for legislation that would decriminalize street vending in Bushwick.
