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Dear New Yorkers,

As summer gets truly underway and New Yorkers flock to parks, so do the people who sell them cut mango, shaved ice, hats and souvenirs.

Inside the city’s green spaces, they’re increasingly getting clocked by tickets from both Parks Enforcement Patrol officers and the NYPD.

A new analysis by THE CITY shows that summonses issued in and along city parks for unpermitted vending have increased year over year in the past three years. The number of summonses issued for those infractions is up 30% in 2023 compared to 2019.

Battery Park is a particular hotspot. It’s also where a video went viral earlier this month showing a 32-year-old migrant and her 14-year-old daughter in a chaotic and physical confrontation with a Parks officer.

Read more here about how those vendors work with the threat of fines that, last year, averaged $414 a piece.

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Monday’s Weather Rating: 7/10 Partly sunny and warmer, with highs in the mid- 80s. Dew points are on the rise too, a sign of things to come. The vibes are good, but getting humid.

Our Other Top Stories

As Gov. Kathy Hochul mulls a statewide ban of mobile phones in schools, the reality on the ground in New York City classrooms illustrates the complexities of such a large-scale effort. The inconsistencies lead to students testing boundaries and giving into the irresistible pull of their phones to watch or create TikToks, text friends or listen to music, reports Chalkbeat New York. Thanks to reader Vanessa J. for writing to us for more information about the Democratic primary race in her neighborhood, Hamilton Heights. We added the contest for an open state Assembly district to our article on races to watch this month. Did you vote this weekend? Early voting started Saturday and Primary Day is June 25.

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Tuesday, June 18: The first day of the Met’s exhibition of city school kids’ artwork, P.S. Art. Free and on view through October 20, Met Fifth Avenue, 1000 5th Ave., Upper East Side. Thursday, June 20: Screening of the documentary “Summer of Soul” exploring the six-week 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Free from 1 to 3:15 p.m. at the Macomb’s Bridge Library, 151st Street and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard, Harlem. Thursday, June 20: Create a glass suncatcher for your window in this guided arts and crafts class. Free from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ozone Park Library, 92-24 Rockaway Blvd.

THE KICKER: No, you’re not imagining it. Dogs are popping up in real estate listings all over the city.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Monday.

Love,

THE CITY

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