Latest news with #illegalvending
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
California Democrat refuses to tour junkie hot zone in his own district
California Senator Scott Wiener declined to tour a junkie hot spot in his very own district. The Democrat, who represents San Francisco, was stopped by ABC7 News Bay Area Sunday while the outlet checked out Mission Street to report on illegal street vending. After arriving, the reporter quickly realized a bigger issue plaguing the community - rampant open drug use on the streets. During the segment, Wiener openly talked about the 'violence' illegal street vending brings to the area, but when they asked if he wanted to join them on a walk down the drug-infested street, he refused. The reporter asked Wiener: 'Would you like to see with us to see what's going on there?' Wiener, who appeared to stumble on his words, responded: 'What? Uh, I'm here regularly so I'm aware of what's going on and it's bad.' Although the senator declined joining the news outlet, the reporter said they 'didn't hesitate' to check it out for themselves. Video showed several people laying on the pavement as paramedics made their rounds after three wellness calls were made to the fire department in less than five minutes, the outlet reported. Locals in the neighborhood said they frequently call 911, as one man said: 'I just thought they might be dead.' Video showed several people laying on the pavement as paramedics made their rounds after three wellness calls were made to the fire department in less than five minutes Francisco Grande, another resident, compared the scene to 'a third-world county.' 'It's very bad right now, it looks terrible. I don't know why the authorities don't do anything,' he added. The outlet not only asked Wiener about the issue, but also contacted District nine Supervisor Jackie Fielder to comment on the growing issue. She did not respond. Soon after ABC 7 left the scene, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie drove by the area to see the chaos for himself. He then went on to tell a crowd at the Bay Area-Silicon Valley Summit: 'And there were hundreds of people gathered at 5pm. I made some calls, and by 8pm it was clear. 'We are sending a message that if you are on our streets, we want to get you help, but the streets are no longer the option,' Lurie added. Before declining to join the outlet, Wiener spoke about his new bill, which would allow Bay Area police officers to cite illegal vendors. 'This is for folks who are selling goods that have been placed on a list of commonly stolen goods, who don't have a permit and don't have proof of purchase,' he explained. 'Then, the police will be able to cite them and on the third offense, they can get a misdemeanor.' The reporter then mentioned that not a single person was arrested for using drugs on the street, to which Wiener said: 'I can't speak for why they don't make a particular arrest for drugs. I know there have been more drug arrests recently.' In March, there were 140 drug-related arrests within 300 meters of Mission Street and the BART station, according to San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) incident reports seen by the outlet. 'We're receptive to the resident and business owners that are telling us this, and we are citing and arresting people for drug use or for their warrants,' Robert Rueca, a spokesperson with SFPD, said. 'We've done this more in the last few months than we have ever.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
This California city is taking a 'zero-tolerance' approach to illegal street vendors
The Brief Huntington Beach police and code enforcement are enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against illegal sidewalk vending. A valid city permit is required for all vendors, and unpermitted selling can result in fines up to $1,000. Vending is strictly prohibited on the beach, pier, and surrounding beach areas, even with a permit. HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - The City of Huntington Beach is cracking down on illegal street and sidewalk vending on its beaches and other public spaces by adopting a "zero-tolerance" approach. Here's what you need to know. What we know According to authorities, street vendors are barred from selling everything - including cut fruit and drinks to beach chairs and other merchandise - without a permit in popular areas. These areas include the beach, Pier Plaza, Pier, beach parking lot, beach service road, Pacific Coast Highway, and downtown Huntington Beach, especially in areas designated for permitted events. You can see a full list of prohibited areas here. SUGGESTED: Pregnant food cart vendor shoved to ground by Simi Valley resident Even people with sidewalk vendor permits are not allowed, police said. "Vendors cannot provide or sell any service to any person, including the renting of merchandise to customers," police wrote in a statement on their Facebook page. The backstory The heightened enforcement is part of the city's effort to maintain safety and order along the coastline and in public areas. SUGGESTED: Oxnard taco stand worker severely injured after Metrolink train, big rig collide In 2018, California decriminalized sidewalk vending with the passing of the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act. However, local jurisdictions retain the final say on street vending regulations. What's next According to the city, Code Enforcement officers will begin patrols in June in the aforementioned areas. SUGGESTED: Long Beach offers free food carts for eligible vendors Fines of up to $1,000 will be issued to offenders, but the city said officers will first "educate and ask for voluntary cooperation before issuing citations." The Source Information for this story is from the Huntington Beach Police Department and previous FOX 11 reports.
