Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, September 4, 2001
Release #305-01

Contact: Sunny Mindel / Lynn Rasic (212) 788-2958
  John Radziejewsky/ Maryl Frank (DCA) (212) 487-4283/ 487-4137


MAYOR GIULIANI AND COMMISSIONER STEINER HOFFMAN RELEASE RESULTS
OF LARGEST-EVER SCHOOL SAFETY STING

Significant Drop in Illegal Sales of Box Cutters and Laser Pointers to Minors

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today joined Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jane Steiner Hoffman to release the results of the City's most recent and most comprehensive school safety sting. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) recently conducted dozens of undercover investigations throughout the city to ensure that box cutters and laser pointers were not being sold illegally to minors. The investigation revealed that 82% of stores were in compliance with New York City's ban on the sale of box cutters to anyone under 21 years of age and that 86% of businesses complied with the ban on the sale of laser pointers to anyone under 19 years of age.

"With students around the city preparing for the new school year, we want to ensure that dangerous items, such as box cutters and laser pointers are kept out of our schools, off the streets, and out of the hands of minors," Mayor Giuliani said. "This summer, DCA stepped up its investigation and conducted the largest box cutter and laser pointer sweep ever. Through these types of enforcement initiatives, we have sent a strong message that box cutters and laser pointers can be dangerously misused and should not be sold to minors. Today's results show an improving pattern of compliance by New York City merchants and that this message is getting across."

"Under the Consumer Protection Law, Consumer Affairs is mandated to fine businesses that engage in the illegal sale and display of box cutters," Commissioner Steiner Hoffman said. "As result of this enforcement sweep, Consumer Affairs issued 107 citations with a potential $37,350 in fines. The illegal sale of these potential hazards has significantly decreased since last year. Based on our inspections in the year 2000, compliance was 73% - this year we have reached 82% compliance, a 9% increase."

Box Cutters

Between July 23rd and August 30th, 2001, nine undercover teens, working with Department inspectors, attempted to purchase box cutters at various hardware, building supply, and discount stores throughout the city. Stores that sold box cutters to the undercover minors were issued a $350 fine for each violation; recidivists were fined $500. Agency inspectors cited 24 businesses with 93 violations for illegal box cutter sales and for improperly displaying these potential hazards; and four stores were caught violating the law for a second time.

"While merchants do not need a license to sell box cutters, they should be responsible in their sales," Commissioner Steiner Hoffman said. "Last year the Police Department had to confiscate nearly 850 box cutters from schools around New York City."

In 1995, Local Law 80 made the sale of box cutters to individuals under 18 a criminal misdemeanor, and banned box cutters from school grounds. In 1998, Mayor Giuliani signed Local Law 22, which extended the ban from school grounds to all public grounds, and increased the legal age to purchase box cutters to 21. The Law also prohibits merchants from displaying these items where they can be handled without the assistance or supervision of a store employee.


The results of Consumer Affairs' 2001 inspections showed that Manhattan had the highest compliance rate: Only one out of 31 inspections conducted in the borough resulted in an illegal sale. Brooklyn had the lowest compliance rate, with more than one third of vendors selling box cutters to teenagers.

Box Cutter Inspections by Borough 2001

BOROUGH INSPECTIONS SALES TO MINORS COMPLIANCE RATES
Queens 24 6 75%
Brooklyn 37 10 73%
Staten Island 15 4 73%
Bronx 19 2 89%
Manhattan 31 97% 1
Citywide 126 23 82%

 

 

 

 

 

 


Box Cutter Enforcement Comparison

2000 2001
NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS 59 129
SALES TO MINORS 16 23
COMPLIANCE RATES 73% 82%

 

 

 

 

Box Cutter Recidivist Violators

Store Address Address
The Home Depot 112-20 Rockaway Blvd., Queens
GC Stationary Inc. 81-10 37th Ave., Queens
A&R Variety Store Inc. 78-05 Jamaica Ave., Queens
Morales Home Center * 1850-62 Jerome Ave., Bronx

 

 

 

 

 

* Fined for illegal sale and illegal display

Laser Pointers

Under a 1998 amendment to City law, it is illegal to sell a laser pointer to anyone under the age of 19. Laser pointers are dangerous because they can be used to harass police officers and the general public and are easily mistaken for a laser beam that is emitted from a firearm.

From July 23rd to August 2nd, 2001, Department inspectors and eight undercover teenagers attempted to purchase laser pointers from 102 stores in the five boroughs. Of these, only 14 vendors broke the law by illegally selling laser pointers to the undercover teens. The offending businesses can be fined up to $300 if an administrative law judge finds them guilty. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $1,000.

"The latest laser pointer inspection showed vast improvement from previous enforcement efforts," noted Commissioner Hoffman. "In 1999, %70 of merchants investigated complied with the law. Thanks to ongoing enforcement, compliance in 2001 has risen to 86%."

Laser Pointer Compliance Rate Comparison

BOROUGH 1999 COMPLIANCE RATE 2001 COMPLIANCE RATE
Queens 29% 95%
Brooklyn 33% 96%
Bronx 80% 82%
Manhattan 85% 67%
Staten Island 89% 94%
Citywide 70% 86%

 

 

 

 


 

 

Laser Pointer Enforcement Comparison

1999 2001
NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS 37 102
SALES TO MINORS 11 14
COMPLIANCE RATES 70% 86%

 

 






To report a store in violation of the City's box cutter law and laser pointer law, consumers can call the Department of Consumer Affairs at 212-487-4444. Consumers can also obtain information by visiting the agency's website at www.nyc.gov/consumers.



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