Dozens of illegal vendors swarm Brooklyn Bridge, crowd out licensed counterparts including disabled vets
Dozens of unlicensed vendors have illegally swarmed the Brooklyn Bridge to hawk cheap New York City souvenirs and fruit cups — while their licensed competition, including disabled veterans, say they’re being pushed out and unable to make a living.The Post counted roughly 42 vendors across the historic span on Sunday and spotted one brazenly spreading out dozens of New York canvas bags directly in front of a “no vending allowed” sign.The illicit hawkers peddled Big Apple-themed tchotchkes, including $1 NYC magnets and $5 hats.An 11-year-old girl even sold a Post reporter a $1 bottle of water before pointing up the bridge and stating her mom was “selling mangos.”The disorderly scene has frustrated local licensed merchants, including disabled veterans who said they are unable to compete with their unlicensed counterparts.Sammy, a 48-year-old licensed ice cream vendor and disabled veteran who has worked near City Hall for decades, said the illicit vendors returned around October 2025, but claimed, “the chaos exploded under Mamdani.”“It started under Adams because he didn’t give a f–k,” he said of the end of former Mayor Eric Adams’ term.“They’re illegal vendors.
They’re there, and they’re back,” Sammy said.“They’re causing chaos.
They’re costing the city money.Cops are chasing them.”Sammy said police occasionally issue tickets, but the fines appear to do little to curb the peddlers who rack up profits by selling illegally.The Post witnessed several sellers flee the bridge as a pair of cops patrolled the expanse.“They give tickets, but they give little stupid $20 tickets, $50 tickets.
But he’s going to make $1,000 illegally, so what’s a $20 ticket?”The turf wars amongst the vendors have also turned violent.Last week, Sammy was left with scratches all over his arms after breaking up a fight between mango sellers.“They’re all fighting with each other.
The illegal mango [sellers] are cutting each other up, scratchi...