By Joy Bergmann
On Thursday night, NYPD officers seized multiple unregistered vehicles – four mopeds, one motorcycle and one scooter – plus nine bicycles that NYPD said were illegally “chained to a pole” near the Stratford Arms Hotel at 117 W. 70th Street.
A video posted on the Citizen website showed officers loading vehicles into an NYPD truck at 70th and Broadway at around 10:20 p.m.
The action was in response to “community complaints regarding mopeds/scooters and bikes parked in the area,” an NYPD spokesperson said via email to WSR. [NYPD conducted a similar operation on August 20th as part of a citywide sweep.]
One woman allegedly confronted police during the seizure of an unregistered motorbike. NYPD said Baibaia Rodriguez, 20, tried to prevent an officer from taking the motorbike and allegedly “hit an officer with an open hand. She also fought and refused to be cuffed after she was taken into custody.”
On Friday, Rodriguez was charged with resisting arrest, third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. She was released on her own recognizance and is due back in New York Criminal Court on October 19th.
NYPD said Rodriguez is a current resident of the Stratford Arms. Since mid-June, the former SRO building has housed approximately 400 adult migrants as a Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center (HERRC) for asylum seekers.
WSR previously reported on community concerns with some Stratford Arms residents’ behavior.
Update 9/3/23 7:30 a.m.:
WSR has corrected the type of vehicle involved in the alleged Rodriguez incident to “unregistered motorbike” following subsequent reporting, including video, from the New York Post.
Does the photo in the article represent all of the illegal vehicles at the Stratford Arms? Just curious, because I’ve seen entire blocks of motorized delivery bikes parked in other areas and no one is complaining about it. Was the SA targeted because the immigrants are housed there? And why did the police come at night? This all seems a bit off.
I also am very bothered by these illegal vehicles. But there is an easy way to deal with them – tell businesses that you will not order from them if their delivery people use them.
Everyone (including myself) complains about them but then they also complain that their food delivery took too long or that the fees are going up. You can’t have it both ways.
If you get rid of them, your food will take longer to get to you and/or they will have to hire more delivery people and/or pay them more so they don’t feel the need to ride at high speed to make more money. Are Upper West Siders OK with that, or is having cheap, fast wonton soup the most important thing to them?
Or they can just make deliveries with legal vehicles.
The police shouldn’t be doing this only at night . It should be done 24 – 7.
When will NYC see the light and do as Paris has done and outlaw electric scooters?
Everyone I know is complaining about all the motorized delivery vehicles.
Riding unregistered vehicles (some of these are required). Riding without helmets and multiple people on vehicle. Riding through red lights. Riding the wrong way. Riding on the sidewalk.
None of this is ok – migrant or not.
There are tons of mopeds in front of several hotels in Manhattan used for the “migrants” and my understanding is that there have been complaints.
One thing that is different here – it is a residential side street whereas the other locations are on avenues, in midtown such as hotel on 10th Ave. Also chaining a vehicle is different than parking a vehicle.
jeepers. the obvious solution is to install bike racks, no? when the demand for bicycle parking diminishes, take them away, or move them to where the demand has increased.
this is a no brainier.
Best to use bus or subway
It’s amazing that one can hit a police officer and immediately spend time in jail.
? I think you need to read the article again, the person who assaulted the officer did not spend any time in jail they were released.
I am glad that the police is finally taking action against illegal mopeds.
But taking bikes illegally “chained to a pole” is just silly.
Also see:
https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2021/09/08/robbery-in-progress-nypd-swipes-bikes-off-queens-street-in-possibly-illegal-move
It’s the typical problem with enforcement with the NYPD — you ask the police to deal with dangerous illegal mopeds, and most of what they do is instead target innocent people who just didn’t have anywhere else to park their bicycles. It’s almost like they’re trying to make enforcement so overbroad that people will stop asking them to enforce.
The machines if they’re gas powered are illegal motorcycles. So parking them anywhere on public streets is illegal.
Budget Bob,
BTW people have recently been chaining shopping carts by the subway entrance at 72nd St.
Bicycles that are chained to poles on an ongoing basis need to be removed too.
That is fair point. It is sad that everything seems to get abused these days.
The solution is probably what was hinted at in the link above,:you need to give notice. Put a sticker on the bike or cart with a clean up date – similar to what the sanitation dept does before cleaning up illegal homeless encampments.
No notice is required – it has always been illegal to chain bicycles to street signs, sidewalk sheds, or anything that isn’t specifically for public bike parking. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
Sadly there are not nearly enough proper places to lock your bike to.
Also the rules appear to be a little more nuanced than what you are claiming. (See the article I linked to.)
Unfortunately, without licensing, there is no way for the police to know if it is a repeat offender or not. The only option is draconian, but it will be effective and the tough lesson will be learned. It’s life in a civilized society…rules.
Baibaia Rodriguez, should be deported as the DA will drop all the charges and she will continue to live off the taxpayers of NYC. If she will attack police officers imagine what she may do to local residents.
Those mopeds have been there for 1-2 years… Finally some action. I somewhat empathize with the immigrants as a legal and successful immigrant myself, but receiving free housing and then violating city regulations and fighting law enforcement is simply unacceptable.
You’d think that assaulting a police officer might negatively impact one’s claim of asylum, verdad? As in, immediate deportation.
Particularly if it is not your first arrest. The NY Post is reporting she was arrested for felony assault in July.
Illegally unregistered vehicles should be impounded. Including the cars with defaced and obstructed plates.
Normal, pedaled Bikes? That’s harassment, pure and simple.
Get these bikes off the streets. This is a low hanging fruit for cops in the fight to improve our quality of life. I wish brewer would take a stand against them. They are destroying the community.
The motor bikes are definitely out of control. I’ll add everywhere I turn, I have to deal with the smell of weed coming from all sides. That’s contributing to the destruction of the community.
We elected politicians that have either legalized pot or opted to not enforce pot laws.
Crime by these illegal immigrants is happening far more frequently than is being reported.
NYPost Headline: Migrant (sic) arrested 6 times for 14 crimes in first two months in NYC
https://nypost.com/2023/09/02/newly-arrived-immigrant-arrested-7-times-court-records-show/
Among the Venezuelan’s arrests was a July 6 arrest for stealing a tool kit from a Columbus Circle Duane Reade; and a July 7 arrest for threatening a Duane Reade security guard who confronted him for stealing a bag of chips and toothpaste, an offense for which he was released because it was not deemed bail-eligible.
Read the entire article; more violent assaults, more thefts, and our feckless immigration system does nothing.
The Biden administration thinks that it can sit on its hands and do nothing, and that voters will vote Democrat over a second Trump administration, akin to Hochul ignoring rising crime in NY in the gubernatorial campaign and contributing to a loss of Democrat control of the House.
I live in a community of conservative Democrats and moderate Undecideds, and I sense growing disaffectation with Biden’s impotent lack of response. There is too much at stake to maintain this status quo.
Did you actually imply that a second Trump term — a twice impeached, tax evading, con man who tried to overthrow democracy — is someone anyone would vote for? I’d write in a vote for Mickey Mouse for President before I voted for that seditious, traitorous, odious, hideously insulting cretin.
The Biden administration has deported a higher percentage of illegal immigrants than the previous guy’s admin. The problem is Abbott and DeSantis busing the immigrants here, which BTW, is human trafficing.
This whole illegal immigrant mess can be laid right at the feet of Mayor Photo-op, and DA Do-Nothing .
To be fair, also Gov. Hochul. The “right to shelter” needs to be removed from the NY State Constitution ASAP. We can welcome (legal) immigrants without funding them.
Just to note that most people on the UWS are relatively generous, open-minded, and welcoming – unlike the fearful, authoritarian-minded commenters that seem so fixated on sharing their corrosive views online.
Most UWS residents are welcoming of legal immigrants who don’t make life miserable for everyone by racing illegal vehicles at night, don’t ignore sensible traffic laws like not speeding through an intersection while absorbed in their smartphone.
And most do nit approve of having to pay for hotel rooms for someone just because they felt like living in a better country without going through the hassle of immigration. I struggle hard to pay to live on the UWS, and don’t like having to pay hotel rooms for others who can’t afford to live here.
I used to be a Dem but seeing wjat these far left policies have done to NYC in just a fee years, I will vote R right down the line at least in local elections.
Sorry, Anthony, You are entitled to your opinion and your vote. But you have no authority to speak for “most” people in the neighborhood.
This is how the republicans get you, Create fear and hatred and become one of them, So sorry to hear that,
So true. The real cause of our predicament is the ineffectual white, male, conservative Governor Abbott of Texas. Without him shipping bus loads of people up here we wouldn’t be dealing with so many people. Notice how they aren’t sending them to other blue states. The politics of conservative white male grievance are pathetic. “Owning the libs” is not effective public policy,. The GOP is an absolute failure.
New York decided to become a sanctuary state on its own and accepting immigrants is part of that equation. Attacking Abbott for making NY live up to its words is nonsensical.
The City Council voted to make New York City a sanctuary city many years ago. Now, all of a sudden we’re getting buses from Texas? This has nothing to do with being a “sanctuary city”, but all about the failed politics of the GOP – the inability of white male conservatives to share power with other people and acknowledge the country’s changing demographics. Instead of governing and being collaborative, the GOP just sows discord. The GOP is a failed party. Governor Abbott is a failed governor. Texas is a failed state. I wonder what Ronna McDaniel and other hnw GOP donors have promised Governor Abbott in exchange for this nonsense.
Most people in the world, nation, and NYC are relatively generous, open-minded, and welcoming.
We were far more welcoming of the migrants when they stayed in Texas and Florida.
Biden would like to respond by accelerating asylum seekers’ ability to get work permits. But doing so requires congressional approval and one party vehemently objects. Can you guess which one?
Before you blame it all on Biden, think of what he’s got on his plate: budget crises, Congressional shutdowns, paying for the war in the Ukraine, widespread addiction, climate emergencies, education, rising crime rates, mass shootings
everywhere and much. much more. What do you think YOU
would do about if you were President?
Well, to begin with I’d stop the spending and relax current energy policy to bring down inflation. Broker a peace deal to end the Ukraine war and use that money to protect our own border, stopping the inflow of drugs and 80k fentanyl deaths per yr. Push for laws and DAs that put citizens’ rights over criminals, and fight for universal background checks for all gun purchases. Push for school choice so kids are proficient in reading and math and can compete in a global economy. Hopefully that helps answer your question.
He and his party caused some of them.
Hey, Biden volunteered, asked for the job, so he can’t say he’s too busy.
Oh, for C—-t’s sake! Anti-immigration is anti-compassion, anti-decency. Get over yourselves. These people deserve a leg up just for getting here., and excuse me but the NYPD needs re-training on who to ticket. NJ commuters beware!
To Citty:
If trying to persuade others (especially total strangers) to change their opinion. it is best not to categorize or insult them with broad-brush assertions.
Citty –
They are receiving free shelter in hotels and other free services.
(NYC taxpayers are funding this massive cost.)
Seems to me it is their responsibility to adhere to laws and respect the community.
It would not be ok for any of us to travel to another country and be disrespectful….
That’s great. Now let’s enforce adherence to lights, stop signs, pedestrian right of ways, as well. On my 50 min walk I was almost nailed by 4 e-bikes going against the light, etc.
Let’s enforce pedestrians to follow the law and walk with the walk sign instead of challenging drivers all the time.
A pedestrian who crosses against the light endangers themselves. No one in the car is in danger. A driver going against the light not only endangers themselves, but endangers others to an even greater degree. So, on which one should the police focus limited resources?
As a pedestrian myself, I think your blaming is slightly misplaced.
Shouldn’t there be consequences for breaking law like adios Baibaia. There’s a reason the Feds won’t provide assistance because the H&H mismanagement and total disregard for a code of conduct rules and curfews.
The hotel on Broadway next to the Manhattan diner around 93rd St., do that one next please. There’s always half a block of illegal mopeds and scooters lined up there. Gas powered and no license plates.
Call 311 and make a complaint. Then take the complaint number and call Gail Brewer’s office. If nothing happens. They should follow up. I would also call 311 again and get another complaint number…. keep calling ….until it gets resolved.
Every time I walk by the Roosevelt hotel BTW, there are over 50 motorbikes there. None of them have licenses.
I did start to take pictures, but I was told by one of the migrants, that I couldn’t.
I didn’t really feel like explaining that if somethings on the sidewalk or the street, I am legally allowed to take a picture.
This photo is certainly not representative of what I’ve seen in front of Stratford Arms.
Instead I’ve seen a large number of motor scooters, “e-bikes” etc . All illegally “parked”.
I’ve also seen a huge presence of vehicles in front of a hotel of W57 st. and wondered why is this allowed?
All illegally parked. Not ok.
Why aren’t the police in Riverside Park where mopeds and motorcycles recklessly zoom unlicensed up and down pedestrian pathways? Far more dangerous than being parked on a city street. And removing bicycles chained to a pole? Unsightly, yes, but dangerous, no. Such a misuse of time and effort.
She came to this country illegally and has no respect for our laws or officers. This doesn’t look like a great start for someone seeking refuge in a country where she can have a better life. A life where she was persecuted.
Economic migration does not equal persecution.
Time to get very tough on people on mopeds, e-bikes, and scooters. And with bikers who break laws, including riding the wrong way. It is very clear that the influx of these migrants is changing our neighborhood in bad ways. That includes congregating in public areas and indigents like this which are bound to increase. The two wheeler issue preceded the new migrants but it’s now being exacerbated.
The focus on cyclists going the wrong way is ridiculous. Get away from the UWS and you’ll find plenty of 2-way bike paths all around the City. Somehow, pedestrians manage to get across the street by looking both ways. Treat every bike lane as a 2-way lane and you’ll do fine.
Bikes are legal; untagged mopeds aren’t, and all motorized vehicles are prohibited from using bike lanes. Those are the ones that should be gone after, not bicycles. If someone is brazened enough to terrorize the bike lanes & pedestrian paths, there’s a high likelihood they’ll violate other laws and rules of the road. Get rid of them and then focus could be put on the ‘dangerous’ bicycles.
Let’s include the fact the landlord who is collecting close $2million a year is AMDA. .American Music and Dramatic Academy. The moved the students out of 2 dorms on West 70th and West 85 for greed.
How about the two medians with seating at 70th and Broadway and the tree pit in front of the Nevada??? I saw an idiot cut in front of a bus and then pop a wheelie as he scurried away. And then he crashed and all his friends laughed. They are, altogether, a menace.
The median on 82 and Broadway also has illegal mopeds parked there all the time but the NYPD (housed less than 2 blocks from there) never does anything abt them either
There will be a “Build the Block sector B” meeting on September 14, location to be announced, to discuss some of these issues with our 20th precinct Community Policing Officers, Garcia and Hernandez. Additional 20th Precinct Officers will be in attendance as well. The residents of the Stratford arms and E-bikes will definitely be addressed at this meeting. You need to be heard. If you want to be advised of the meeting particulars such as time and location, email buildtheblocksectorb@gmail.com
😯🤯😯🤯😯🤯 Holy crapola! I seriously CANNOT believe anybody cares about this AT ALL!!! So people need a place to park non-car vehicles. So what!!! Weren’t you all the same people getting your panties in a wad over CitiBikes taking up your car parking spaces??? Jeez! You have out-aged NYC. Go live in a Homeowner’s regulated suburban community where your extra time on your hands to do nothing but complain will be appreciated.
Talk to me after you get hit by a bike running a red light going the wrong way.
These are legit complaints. I say you’re a little out of touch