San Fernando Halts Street-Vendor Citings
The San Fernando City Council has suspended the issuance of citations against street vendors until it hears from a citizens advisory committee and a consultant hired to study the issue.
The City Council decided this week to create the citizens committee and pay a consultant to look into how other communities deal with street vendors.
Recommendations are expected to go to the council on Oct. 21. Until then, city officials will not cite vendors for lacking the proper permits or selling in the wrong places. In San Fernando, street vendors are allowed only in residential areas and not in commercially zoned areas.
City officials will also hand out flyers to the vendors explaining laws regulating street vending.
Street vendors--most of whom are Latinos who sell ice creams and food from homemade carts--became an issue several months ago after some residents and business people complained about potential health problems and unfair competition.
Supporters of the vendors say it is part of the Latino culture and promotes entrepreneurship, particularly among recent immigrants.
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