The city of Fontana, in San Bernardino County, issued a ordinance to toughen measures against unlicensed street vendorswhich caused protests by some critics who think that the mandate is directed against the Latino community.
Some people defended the ordinance, saying many local businesses are struggling because They cannot compete with the prices offered by street vendorsan opinion that is not shared by the entire community.
“I’ve been here for over 30 years and how dare they impose an ordinance on street vendors. They are not criminals,” said a resident during the Municipal Council meeting held this Tuesday.
The ordinance allows officers to approach unlicensed street vendors to instruct them on the new ordinance, with a tolerance of 30 minutes for them to pack their products and leave.
In the event that officers encounter unlicensed street vendors who repeat their business operations, they are authorized to confiscate sellers’ equipment to hold for up to 60 days.
Even, if necessary, the street vendors repeat offenders of minor crimes.
The city of fontana said that permits issued by the Department of Health are available and, as soon as they are obtained, the street vendors must display them.
Officials mentioned that sellers’ compliance is limited to health and safety standards.
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City residents, as well as activists supporting informal traders, They protested the ordinance.
Some of the protesters They went directly to the mayor of Fontana, Acquanetta Warren, even in front of her homeafter councilors voted unanimously to support the mandate.
The order assigns some $600,000 allocated to hire a company called Four Leaf to collaborate in enforcing the new ordinance in the city of Fontana.
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Street vendors who do not have a license told the KTLA network that they do not have the permit granted by the authority due to the high cost of obtaining itFurthermore, the income they obtain from marketing their products is barely enough to support their families.
However, for people who are in favor of the ordering they considered that allow unlicensed street vendors to operate It hurts local businesses that are concerned about using the proper channels to stay up to date on their requirements to sell in accordance with the law.
“We can no longer attract businesses if the city is losing them,” said Mayor Warren.
The mayor added that the city offers incentives to unlicensed street vendors so that they comply with the regulations and can offer their food legally.
Warren said illegal street vending gives an advantage that he considered unfair about those merchants who do have a license to sell in Fontana legally.
“Just like that person who has to pay the rent every day and cover the payment of their employees, as the state establishes that they pay, it must be at a uniform level,” added the mayor.
In relation to accusations that the ordinance is directed against the Latino community, Mayor Warren stated that among the businesses the city seeks to protect, many of them belong to Latino ownerss.
Keep reading:
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· Crimes against street taco vendors in Los Angeles are highest in a decade