The marshals who evict people from their New York City apartments have begun an unofficial two-week holiday.
The marshals have been honoring the eviction moratorium for decades but don't seem to know when or why it began. Tenant advocates said it probably was created to help landlords avoid negative publicity for tossing people out at Christmas.
Bronx Housing Court Judge Jaya Madhavan said the eviction moratorium is "one of those myths that take on the force of law."
The city's Department of Investigation regulates the 45 marshals and doesn't sanction the tradition.
Marshal Danny Weinheim said he wouldn't evict anyone on Christmas Eve.
Tenants scheduled for eviction said they're glad for the reprieve.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
