Mayor Bass Halts Criminal Citations for LA Street Vendors

Mayor Karen Bass has issued a clear directive to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD): cease issuing criminal citations to street vendors across the city. This move signals a significant shift in how Los Angeles approaches its vibrant street vending culture, emphasizing support and regulation over criminalization.

A Turning Point for LA’s Street Vending Landscape

For decades, street vending in Los Angeles operated in a legal gray area, with vendors often facing criminal charges and costly fines for simply trying to earn a living. While California decriminalized street vending statewide in 2018 with SB 946 and later AB 626, allowing cities to regulate rather than ban, enforcement in LA remained a complex issue. Despite efforts to create a city permit program, many vendors continued to face hurdles, leading to ongoing citations.

Mayor Bass’s order aims to align LAPD’s actions with the spirit of these state laws and the city’s intent to formalize and support its street vendor economy. This directive recognizes the economic contributions of vendors and seeks to remove punitive measures that disproportionately affect working-class communities.

What the Mayor’s Order Means

The core of the directive is straightforward: LAPD officers are to stop issuing criminal citations related to the act of street vending itself. Instead, the focus will shift to addressing legitimate public health and safety concerns, which are still enforceable through administrative processes.

Key Shifts in Enforcement:

• End to Criminalization: Vending itself will no longer be grounds for criminal charges or arrests by LAPD.
• Focus on Health and Safety: Violations concerning food safety, public health, fire hazards, or obstruction of public right-of-way can still be cited, typically through administrative means by relevant city departments (e.g., Public Works, Health Department).
• Support for Permitting: The move is intended to encourage vendors to navigate the city’s permitting process, rather than deter them through fear of criminal action.

Implications for Vendors and the Community

This policy change offers a significant reprieve for thousands of street vendors who have long operated under the threat of criminal prosecution. It reduces the risk of arrest, impoundment of equipment, and the heavy burden of criminal records, which can have long-lasting effects on individuals and families.

For residents and consumers, the change aims to foster a more stable and regulated vending environment. As vendors are encouraged to secure proper permits without the fear of criminalization, it could lead to more compliant operations, ultimately benefiting public health and safety through greater adherence to health codes and operational standards.

Old Approach vs. New Direction for LAPD

What to Watch Next

The success of this directive hinges on its consistent implementation across all LAPD divisions and the city’s continued efforts to streamline the permitting process. Los Angeles still faces challenges in making permits accessible and affordable for all vendors, particularly those with limited resources or language barriers. Advocates will be closely monitoring how LAPD officers adapt to this new directive and how other city departments step up to handle increased administrative enforcement of health and safety regulations.

Further developments will likely include continued community outreach to educate vendors on permitting requirements and available resources, as well as discussions on creating more designated vending zones or flexible operational guidelines to integrate vendors seamlessly into the urban fabric.

FAQs About the New Policy

• What exactly did Mayor Bass order?
  Mayor Bass directed the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to stop issuing criminal citations for street vending.
• Does this mean street vending is now completely unregulated in LA?
  No, vendors are still required to comply with city and county health, safety, and business permit regulations. The order primarily removes criminal penalties for vending itself.
• What kind of citations can LAPD still issue?
  While criminal vending citations are halted, LAPD can still address non-criminal violations related to public safety, such as blocking sidewalks or fire hydrants, or issues that pose immediate health risks, often referring them to other city agencies for administrative enforcement.
• Are permits still required for street vendors?
  Yes, city business permits and county health permits are still mandatory for legal street vending operations in Los Angeles. This order aims to encourage permit acquisition without the threat of criminalization.

For Los Angeles residents and vendors alike, this directive marks a significant step towards a more equitable and integrated approach to street vending, urging both compliance and compassion from city enforcement.

Mayor Bass Halts LA Vendor Criminalization