Times Square and Grand Central Terminal are sure to make the list for must-see destinations for tourists who come to town. They are also where the NYPD says many unregistered pedicabs operate, often swindling the city’s visitors.

The department launched a new initiative coined “Operation Front Door” Wednesday night in tourist hot spots to curb pedicab scams.

What You Need To Know

  • The department launched a new initiative coined “Operation Front Door” Wednesday night

  • Many Midtown pedicab operators do not have the proper licensing and other registrations from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection

  • NYPD officials say their main goal is to protect tourists from what can be relentless haggling for pedicab rides

  • The operations also focuses on clearing illegal street vendors selling counterfeit goods

“This is a big hit for us right here,” said NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry. “Classic example of every last one of these pedicabs are not [being] registered.”

Cops seized dozens of pedicabs within minutes of the start of Wednesday’s operation right outside the exit of the Summit One Vanderbilt building.

NYPD officials said they will not release property until their operators have proper documentation.

Licensing and other registrations from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is required for pedicab operators and equipping the vehicles with speakers, lights or motors is also illegal.

“They're out here trying to make a living,” empathized Daughtry. “However, they have to follow the law, so we have to give them the documentation that they need so that they can become registered. A lot of these cabs have been taken or seized before and they constantly come back out to do it again. So, we're going to have to come out and do our job again.”

Pricing of pedicabs can also be an issue and lead to problems between operators and their customers.

NYPD officials said their main goal is to protect tourists from what can be relentless haggling.

“They are constantly antagonizing the tourist, asking for a fare. It is not something that tourists want to see on vacation, they don’t want to be harassed. No means no, but these guys can be very aggressive at times,” said Daughtry while leading the operation.

Also aggressive and illegal: vendors selling counterfeit goods.

For the second half of the operation, the task force moved to Broadway in Times Square, and while some of the illegal vendors ran away from police, they left the illegal items behind.

“We're not really looking to lock up the low-level guys,” explained the Deputy Commissioner.  “We want the property. We're going to take your property. If you sell on the street, you can't sell counterfeit stuff out here.”

At least two dozen pedicabs were seized and there were at least three arrests Wednesday.

“Operation Front Door” is part of a broader effort to address quality of life issues.

Police have not said where they will target next or when.