Pomona : Pushcart Ban Sought

Mayor Donna Smith asked the City Council this week to rescind its recent legalization of pushcarts, saying that the city is becoming saturated with vendors selling food from the carts that could be hazardous.

Smith said corn on the cob and cotton candy are being sold in the streets, and she expects pork rinds and raw fish to appear next. She said she is worried about liability “if anyone gets sick, or dies, from unsanitary foods.”

But council members said that the ordinance adopted last month has safeguards. It requires pushcart vendors to obtain health permits and sell only prepackaged foods. It also limits the number of licensed vendors to 100.

Councilwoman Paula Lantz said the ordinance did not become effective until April 16, so it is too early to judge its effectiveness. Before the ordinance was adopted, street vendors were banned, but the ban was not strictly enforced.