Last Updated: March 31, 2010

Status Quo On Our Streets?

• Adam Grohman
Though the Town of Oyster Bay drew the line on day laborers in the fall of 2009 with the passage of an anti-solicitation ordinance, the street corners continue to be a haven for those looking for work. Daily, a large group of day laborers stand along Forest Avenue waiting for the opportunity to engage in employment opportunities. Based on the various requests by local residents to curb the unsafe practice, coupled with a host of reports of residual behaviors, the Town of Oyster Bay took a tough stance on the matter that was, upon its passage, a welcome response by residents and the catalyst for outrage by a host of organizations who questioned the constitutionality of the ordinance.
In an effort to introduce the ordinance, the Town of Oyster Bay instituted a pro-active campaign to educate both those attempting to gain daily employment and those who were stopping along the roadways to solicit the laborers. Residents and locals who drove by the main area of concern along Forest Avenue saw an increased presence of both Nassau County Police Department cruisers and Town of Oyster Bay Public Safety vehicles, but the day laborers, though less in number, still remained. During this educational “grace period” the Town of Oyster Bay explained the parameters of the ordinance to the day laborers and actively notified, via mail, those who, utilizing their vehicles, were attempting or successfully, engaging in solicitation along the streets. This altruistic attempt to educate and stem the flow of those on both sides of the arrangement, however, appears to be based on recent comment from the Town of Oyster Bay, the end of effort as the issuance of summonses does not appear to be the priority.
When asked how many summonses have been issued by the town, town spokeswoman Phyllis Barry explained that “No summonses have been issued.” Though the lack of summonses raises concern for some, other indicators, based on the observations of the Town of Oyster Bay Public Safety officers who have been actively engaged in efforts, are more promising. “Public Safety officers have observed very few contractors or other individuals picking up solicitors,” Barry continued. “The license plate of any vehicle observed picking up a solicitor is recorded and the owner is sent a letter stating that they could be summoned to appear in court in the future if they pick up a solicitor. Public Safety officers have not observed anyone who received a letter making any further attempts to pick up solicitors, so the letters are having the desired effect of keeping the contractors away.”
Without a source of employment, the day laborer presence plight, may be taking a turn toward resolution. Though the issuance of summonses may not be the method of choice utilized to enforce the effort, according to the Town of Oyster Bay the pro-active approach in targeting those who are soliciting, is making slow but steady progress in stemming the activity. For those who drive by the main gathering points along Forest Avenue in the early portions of the day however see a different picture… a host of day laborers, standing, waiting, and still looking and hoping for a day’s work. The question remains despite the passage of the ordinance, the educational efforts, and the pro-active approach to identify and notify those who may be soliciting from their vehicles: Has the anti-solicitation ordinance curbed the initial problem brought before town government? If the numbers of day laborers still congregating along Forest Avenue each day is an indicator, the answer is clear.

 

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