Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Jennifer Chait (212) 788-8479
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jules Polonetsky today released the results of the latest Consumer Affairs undercover sweep which found fewer merchants were selling box cutters to minors. Thirty eight of 53 stores surveyed citywide obeyed the law -- a compliance rate of 72 percent compared to 41 percent when enforcement began in February 1997. Joining the Mayor were members of the youth volunteer inspection teams.
Today's event was held at Sutton Hardware and Home Center on Manhattan's Upper East Side which was found to be in full compliance with the law.
"The safety of the City's children on our streets and in our schools cannot be overstated," Mayor Giuliani said. "This enforcement initiative is one part of this important goal. Box cutters are often the 'weapon of choice' for teens because the instruments are readily available, relatively affordable and easily concealed. Through enforcement initiatives such as this one, we have sent a message that box cutters, like any other potential weapon, 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."
Since enforcement began, inspectors taking part in the sweeps have issued more than 100 violations and fines up to $500 per store per violation, for both illegal sale and improper display of box cutters.
"The results of this sweep clearly indicate that the Administration's enforcement initiative is exacting compliance from stores citywide," Consumer Affairs Commissioner Polonetsky said. "The Department of Consumer Affairs is proud of the latest results which show fewer merchants have improperly sold box cutters to minors. Building on this positive trend, we intend to vigilantly continue these enforcement efforts to stem violence among young people."
As part of this latest enforcement between February 17 to 26, DCA inspectors accompanied by 16 volunteers under the age of 18 went to stores in all five boroughs that stocked box cutters. The stores were chosen for their proximity to schools. The young volunteer investigators, with written parental permission, then attempted to purchase box cutters. Upon successful completion of the purchases, merchants were issued violations on the grounds that the sale of box cutters to minors is an unconscionable trade practice. Inspectors also checked to see if box cutters were displayed in a way that made them freely accessible to the public.
The results found:
In February 1997, a similar survey revealed 59 percent of stores citywide sold box cutters to minors.
Escalating box cutter violence led to the passage in 1995 of local Law 80, which makes it a criminal misdemeanor to sell box cutters to minors. Merchants are required by law to request proof of age from young people purchasing box cutters and to secure them from open and accessible display. Building on this law, the Mayor this year sponsored Intro. No. 17 which would raise the age limit of purchase to 22 years and would expand the ban on the possession of a box cutter on school premises to all public places.
To report a store in violation of the box cutter rule, notify the Department of Consumer Affairs at (212) 487-4444.