As New York City’s fall tourist season picks up, police are ramping up efforts to stop scams and improve quality of life in busy tourist hotspots like Times Square.

Mayor Eric Adams praised the initiative, dubbed "Operation Front Door," which targets pedicab drivers accused of overcharging tourists. During a recent crackdown Thursday night, police seized 18 pedicabs and issued multiple summonses.

Operation Front Door is a collaborative effort between the NYPD, the Department of Sanitation and the Parks Department. NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry emphasized that these actions are essential for protecting both tourism and local businesses, noting that pedicab scams have been a significant quality-of-life complaint in the city.

In addition to targeting pedicab operators, police are cracking down on illegal street vendors, seizing counterfeit designer items sold at inflated prices. Similar efforts have previously taken place along 5th Avenue, where residents had complained about street vendors.

With an estimated 63 million tourists visiting New York City each year, authorities are stepping up these efforts, especially with the holiday season around the corner. The NYPD has made it clear that this is just the beginning, and they plan to continue monitoring popular areas to protect both visitors and residents.