This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the apparent increase in the various curbside car washers who have sprung up across the city since the pandemic and who are using city fire hydrants for their businesses.

 

“I’m aware of them. I usually see them where I live in Soundview, and I see them in Fordham and in different areas. I think if it could be a hazard to the firemen or a hazard for the community, then yes, they must take them out. They can’t be allowed if it brings down the pressure of the water and it’s hampering the firemen from doing their jobs, and they’re losing their lives. Then, automatically, the city needs to eliminate these types of businesses. Are they even legal? The people who sell hot dogs with the little carts on the corners, they have to do everything by the law and have to have standards and pay the state license to even sell in the street, so why are they not doing that? They’re just making profits and that’s it, and they’re hurting the city.”

Yesenia Carrion,

Soundview

 

“I feel that at least they are out there trying to make money and not hurting anyone. They do a better cleaning than the legitimate car wash. They go inside and out and clean every inch of your car. At the car wash, they put it through the machine, and it comes out and they wipe it down, and you look in the car and it looks like they never vacuumed. They do not wipe the windows or anything inside, but the street guys do. It’s ridiculous how much the regular car wash charges for only driving through a machine.”

Miriam Quiñones,

Bedford Park

 

“When I see them, they seem to do a great job. I see them off of the FDR drive, along the back streets and also by 204th Street, and numerous spots in the Bronx. And I see a line of cars waiting for them. It’s often packed by the FDR. I have yet to see it cause a hazard, and we don’t have enough car wash businesses, so I prefer the side of the street dudes who wash the car manually, and pay attention to detail in cleaning the car as well as offering a better price than the car wash that uses those big machines that sometimes mess up your car.”

Lilah Mejia,

Manhattan

 

“While I believe in being charitable, helping my fellow neighbors and paying forward, I stopped giving money to the corner car washers ever since a very scary experience two years ago on Jerome Avenue where they were not happy with my donation. That was all I had! $2! I’ve also seen fights break out on Jerome (Avenue) under the elevated train. I saw a driver hit the poor washer. The driver kept telling him he did not want his windshield washed, but the guy did it anyway and all hell broke loose.”

Hilda Rosario,

Pelham Bay

 

 

“If properly licensed with New York City, it can alleviate congestion at the fixed car washes. Curbside should also entail private property locations, as well as areas designated by city planning which would prevent any safety hazards. I’ve seen them on the service road of the Cross Bronx Expressway next to the cemetery and on Brush Avenue and in Co-Op City. Without a permit, I am diametrically opposed to any service business, retail or otherwise doing business on the streets of New York without proper licensing.”

Andrew Perretti,

Throggs Neck

 

Editor’s Note: Miriam Quiñones is a freelance photographer with Norwood News.