New York City cracks down on businesses leaving out open bags of garbage

HELL'S KITCHEN (WABC) -- Navigating New York City sidewalks can be a challenge, and one thing to avoid is messes from trash bags that restaurants have hauled to the curb.

But now there is a proposal to make sure that mess is cleaned up, or else restaurants could pay up.

"Sometimes people put the garbage outside and it's disgusting, you know," said restaurant manager Alan Contreas.

The garbage in Hell's Kitchen can get pretty gross, Contreas admits. So he says he doesn't have a problem with a new proposed ball that would fine businesses for not cleaning up the mess created by their open and oozing bags of garbage.

"New York City has to be clean. We live and work around here, so we have to do something. We have to be conscious," he said.

City Council member Margaret Chin introduced the legislation Wednesday that would impose fines that start at $150 for first offenders, and up to $900 for repeat offenses of not washing down the sidewalk from their trash.

"Some restaurants do it and some don't. We just want everyone to do it," said Chin.

"I walk my dog and see it periodically, to go around the goop, because I don't want it on her paws," said Hell's Kitchen resident John Bonelli.

Chin says it's not just about keeping the sidewalks clean. She says the open and oozing bags really contribute to the city's rat problem.

"If the garbage is leaking, the liquid and the grease out of those bags once the garbage is picked up, then they've got to clean the sidewalk because the rats live off those liquids. That could be their dinner," said Chin.

The New York State Restaurant Association does not support the bill, saying in a written statement, "The answer to every problem is not to create a new law with a new fine..." and "A better solution would be discussing and training."

"If it's a major contributor to the the rat infestation we need to solve it," said Bonelli.