City Council votes for stricter penalties for illegal clothes bins
Bye-bye bins.
After a long battle with proliferating illegal clothing bins, the New York City Council passed a bill on Thursday, October 18 designed to eliminate what many residents have described to be both a scam and an eyesore.
While in the past, the clothing bins were issued warning stickers with the owners directed to remove them within 30 days, the bill – now awaiting the mayor’s signature — gives the New York Department of Sanitation the authority to remove the bins immediately. First-time offenses trigger a fine of $250, with repeat offenders getting hit with a $500 fine.
In July, Councilmember Vincent Gentile introduced legislation to put an end to the problem that was plaguing the area. Months later, that plan came to fruition. “My office has received countless complaints about these bins and I’m thrilled today to pass this important piece of legislation which will allow the Department of Sanitation to immediately remove illegal clothing collection bins from public areas,” he said.