Bronx vendor crackdowns continue in Mott Haven

Alba, a mother of two, was selling flowers on Valentine's Day, at the corner of E 149th Street and 3rd Avenue when she was arrested.

Karina Gerry

Mar 1, 2025, 3:42 AM

Updated 3 hr ago

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Mott Haven street vendors are worried about possible fines and arrests after one of their own was arrested for not having a license. "They are treating us like criminals, and all we're doing is selling. I'm not even selling weird merchandise," said Alba, a street vendor. Alba, a mother of two, was selling flowers on Valentine's Day, at the corner of E 149th Street and 3rd Avenue when she was arrested. "Sanitation has never moved me because I've always sold flowers, and they told me that for flowers, I don't need a license," said Alba. Alba says she lost $1,200 worth of flowers that day, and is now too afraid to return to her spot. “It’s very hard it’s very hard because we don’t have all of the means to support my family. I have a girl I have a boy," she says.