PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Frederick Hart, Disabled Veteran, on Challenges with Street Vending License
1:36:27
·
122 sec
Frederick Hart, a disabled veteran, testifies about his frustrating experience with law enforcement while attempting to use his newly acquired street vending license in Midtown Manhattan. He expresses confusion and disappointment over receiving a ticket on his first day of work, despite having a valid license.
- Hart highlights the contrast between the strict enforcement he faced and the apparent lack of action against other illegal activities in the area.
- He voices concerns about his ability to support himself and his family if he continues to face ticketing while trying to work.
- The testimony reveals the emotional impact of the situation, with Hart feeling "heartbroken" and afraid to continue working due to fear of further ticketing.
Frederick Hart
1:36:27
My name is Frederick Hart.
1:36:28
I'm a disabled veteran.
1:36:30
I'm gonna make it fast.
1:36:31
This is my first time at a meeting.
1:36:34
I'm here because they issued me a blue license, like, 2 years ago.
1:36:38
I haven't used it until, like, maybe 3 weeks ago.
1:36:41
I decided to go to where my license tell me I can go, which is Midtown.
1:36:46
So I'm in Midtown.
1:36:47
I'm working on the I've been at my first day on the job.
1:36:51
It was unbelievable.
1:36:52
I mean, 5 cops surrounded me.
1:36:55
And I'm I'm trying to figure out what's so problem.
1:36:57
They say, let me see a license.
1:36:58
I gave them a license.
1:37:00
They all talked amongst each other.
1:37:01
And within 5 minutes, they gave me a ticket, and I'm like, It's my first day on the job.
1:37:06
Can you give me a warning?
1:37:07
Can't you at least let me know what I'm doing wrong?
1:37:10
Since this gave me a ticket.
1:37:11
So after that, I'm trying to figure out, am I gonna get ticket every day?
1:37:17
I haven't worked in years.
1:37:19
I just started 3 weeks ago for the first time.
1:37:22
What is the ticket about?
1:37:23
I'm looking at all the things happening around me.
1:37:26
It's unbelievable with the crime that's in in Times Square.
1:37:29
Right?
1:37:30
And I'm asking them, you're gonna come at me.
1:37:32
A disabled veteran, give me a ticket with all the stuff happening around.
1:37:37
It hurt me so bad, right, to the point where
Walter Wells
1:37:40
I
Frederick Hart
1:37:40
don't even know how to get out there.
1:37:42
Right?
1:37:42
When I do see the cops, I have my license.
1:37:45
Because I know they see me they're gonna come at me.
1:37:47
Why?
1:37:48
Why are you ticketing me?
1:37:50
You're making it hard for me to support myself, my mother, my family.
1:37:54
So where I'm gonna go?
1:37:56
I see people selling things everywhere illegally.
1:37:58
Why would you come at me and give me a ticket?
1:38:02
I'm heartbroken.
1:38:03
Now I'm afraid to get out there because I'm thinking they're gonna come in ticket me.
1:38:09
Our job It's not only to protect this country, but I feel like I'm still there.
1:38:15
If I see something injustice.
1:38:17
Right?
1:38:19
This is
Robert F. Holden
1:38:19
this is this is the same thing we're here.
1:38:22
Right?
1:38:22
Again, I I
Frederick Hart
1:38:23
And the tourists come at me.
1:38:24
They ask me questions.
1:38:25
I'm just I'm just hiding in the corner because I feel the cops going to Take
Vickie Paladino
1:38:29
that ticket and throw it in the garbage.
