3 days ago
DC tows dozens of unlicensed food trucks along National Mall
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Dozens of unlicensed food trucks near the National Mall were towed on Friday, as the city cracks down in an attempt to improve safety.
One licensed food truck owner who works in downtown D.C. told DC News Now he's thrilled the city took this action, saying it's one he hasn't seen on this scale in his decade-plus of food truck ownership.
In total, 32 unlicensed food trucks were towed. An additional 46 citations were issued, and five junk vehicles were removed.
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'There were a lot of unlicensed food truck operators who were creating pollution, blocking walkways, endangering pedestrians and parking illegally, and really making it unsafe for our customers at the mall,' said Tiffany Crowe, the director of the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
Crowe, who told DC News Now there are about 100-110 licensed food trucks in the National Mall area, said the crackdown will improve safety. In addition to the safety concerns for pedestrians, she also described how the license requirement includes a fire safety evaluation.
'Propane and open flames can be very dangerous for consumers, and we've seen that on the mall a few times where food trucks have caught fire,' she said.
As far as prices, she noted that the mayor's office has pushed for a crackdown on requiring price transparency.
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Sam Wanis, who owns Mexicana Grill on Independence Ave., SW, described the crackdown.
'They just closed off the road and every food truck had an officer's car next to [it],' he said.
Wanis said this will help his business and the others who follow the proper regulations.
'If you want to work in DC, you gotta have your license and you gotta get all your stuff together,' he said.
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