Nov 28, 2007 7:01 pm US/Eastern
Illegal Street Side Mechanics A Nuisance For NYC
CBS 2 HD Exposes Dangers Of The Urban Practice
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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CBS 2 used hidden cameras to investigate an illegal and dangerous practice going ignored in the streets of NYC.
CBS
On side streets all across the five boroughs, mechanics are setting up shop and fixing cars. While the price may be right for their customers, CBS 2 found in a hidden camera investigation that it's dangerous and illegal, yet no one seems to be stopping it.
Brake job, oil change, struts, flat tire? If you've got a problem, these guys can fix it, no appointment needed.
"You can leave it over here on the street for now. We have to see what's wrong with it," said an unidentified voice detected by CBS 2's hidden camera.
At 163rd street you can find illegal sidewalk mechanics, working, turning in a profit. By the look of things, they aren't short of drivers in need of immediate attention for their cars.
But when CBS 2 started asking questions in an effort to dig deeper into the world of sidewalk mechanics, some of the answers gave reason for suspicion.
"Starting from 8 o'clock in the morning, until 6, 7, 8 at night, 7 days a week, we have these gypsy mechanics," said local resident Robert Wendell.
While customers clearly love the convenience of their illegal mechanics, neighbors charge it's a nuisance. Even though countless calls have been made to the police, sanitation, the city and the Department of Environmental Protection--they've never been shut down, or even fined. "I've seen them spill oil, brake fluid, automatic transmission fluid, and worst of all anti-freeze," said Lisa Rainwater. Lisa is a river keeper, and her concerns are legitimate, if not important.
"It's a pollutant, it's illegal. It leaks into the Hudson River and can contaminate the fish population," said Rainwater.
Environmental watchdogs also warn about the possible poisoning of children and pets when exposed to these toxic chemicals. As CBS 2 investigated, a green pool of liquid was found. Nearby, another spill they've tried to cover up. And strapped to the mechanic's makeshift workshop were jugs of antifreeze.
Amazingly, no one agency is fully in charge of monitoring this illegal activity. DEP investigates based on complaints only; DOT has it on the books as illegal; but the enforcement is left up to the NYPD, who couldn't tell CBS 2 if or how many tickets they've ever issued for this offense.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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