Advocates are slamming the Town of Babylon’s decision to ticket vendors selling fruit and flowers on the side of the road.

The town issued the tickets because the sellers on the corner of Route 110 and Main Street did not properly file for a peddler's license.

Luis Mendez, from Empowering Young Professionals of Long Island, says he’s upset at the decision and that the vendors are just looking to make a living.

“Our point is fruits and flowers should not be the reason why people cannot put food on their table,” he says. “Their money is not going as far as it used to, and they found themselves with the need to be able to work, no matter what kind of line of work it is.”

Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer says illegal peddlers hurt small businesses. He says two individuals selling fruit and flowers in the area last Wednesday were told three times that they needed to get a peddler's license in order to sell anything on the street in line with town code.

When they didn’t, they were issued a summons and their merchandise was confiscated.

“In my book, three strikes and you’re out. You have to give them a summons in order to get their attention,” Schaffer says.

The fee for the summons given out is $250, and the two individuals will have to appear in court in October.

Mendez plans on showing up to the next Babylon Town Hall meeting on Aug. 31 to defend the street vendors.