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Q:I’ve been bombarded by kids of various ages (on the train and elsewhere) asking me if I want to buy candy. Is this legal?
—Jamie McDonald, Jersey City
A: Prepubescent candy dealers usually deliver shtick about raising money for a school cause, but some are more candid: “This isn’t for a basketball team or school; I just want some extra money,” announced one youngster on a recent train ride. Peddling on the subway cars, along with preaching and protesting, is technically forbidden by the MTA, according to Deirdre Parker of New York City Transit.
However, M&M’s hawkers probably won’t end up behind bars. It’s up to the cops to enforce the rules, and none we talked to said they crack down on candy selling. “I’m pretty sure it’s illegal, but they don’t enforce it,” says one bus driver. The only way to avoid these sales pleas may be to fake a sudden onset of lethal peanut allergies.
jess
Sat, Oct 04, at 11:23am
It's pretty alarming how young some of those kids are (7? 8?) when they arrive on the train with their candy at one o'clock in the morning. At least with the breakdancing crews they're out all night in groups.
They're not a real public nuisence, no. But I've always wondered what the M&M company people thinks is up when thousands of their bulk boxes end up in the hands of pre-teens using them "to get some money in my pocket & keep me out of trouble".
Brenda
Fri, Aug 22, at 03:13pm
Casey, well said.
Jamie, there are more important things to worry about in life.
Casey
Wed, Aug 20, at 11:04am
or, possibly, if you don't want to buy "a candy" as the subway sellers usually say, here's a solution: just don't buy one. no one is forcing you to. as far as being "bombarded" by these horribly inconvenient kids selling sweet things, i'm sure the MTA and the city of new york in general is really sorry for your trouble. me, i don't care how many kids with M&Ms, bongo drums, or dance routines hop on the train as long as they don't slow up the ride.
