HPD Corporal Caris responded to report of 4 illegal peddlers (all women, 2 Chinese and 2 Filipinos*) at the 150-160 N. Hotel St. block. When Corporal Caris arrived, they left however one Filipino had two-three cases of produce and was unable to ‘run’. Shop owners told HPD that she will wait it out until HPD left and reopen. We saw Corporal Caris talking two of the peddlers as they tried to hide among the crowded bus stop and wait for him to leave. ChinatownWatch supporter who called HPD was able to meet with HPD Corporal Caris and showed him the attached photos of the illegal peddlers allowing him to find them around the bus stop.
If you recognize these illegal peddlers, let them know it’s illegal to sell on the public sidewalk, its a nuisance to merchants who pay rent and sell similar products, it’s a personal safety concern as money is openly transacted on the sidewalk allowing others to see and know that these elderly ladies will have cash on them. One illegal peddler was easily spotted having a small purse stuffed with cash. It is my opinion that she can easily be a target for desperate drug user looking for cash.
(*) ethnicity is educated guess based on the observation by the shop owners at BY Grocery and Sun Chong Grocery (127 N. Hotel St.) which is across the street.
