N. UNIVERSITY PARK : Food Trucks Deliver Problems, Some Say

Teresa Dominguez has sold tacos along Hoover Street from a catering truck for years. But these days, Dominguez and other vendors find themselves in a dispute with residents who call the trucks a threat to public safety.

“We haul our trash away and pay all our licensing fees,” said Dominguez. “We aren’t doing anything illegal.”

But residents say catering trucks such as Dominguez’s Tacos del Gordo are violating city parking codes and attracting gangs on Hoover Street near 22nd Street.

“The problem is these three trucks are out there constantly, until the wee hours of the morning. . . ,” said Bob Byers, president of the North University Park Community Assn., a residents group formed in 1977.

Catering trucks may park for as long as 30 minutes in a residential area, or an hour in a commercial area, but are required to relocate at least one mile away after the time limit expires, according to Bob White, the city’s parking manager.

White said his department stepped up its patrols in the area after receiving complaints to ensure that the trucks do not overstay their visits, but said there has been no noticeable increase in the number of citations issued. He said that the trucks are complying with the parking laws for the most part, moving after the time limit expires and returning an hour later.

“I’m not against anyone making a living, but I wish them to follow the law,” Byers said. “Our concern is this is breeding trouble within the gangs. These trucks are becoming gang headquarters and we can see it. We’re not blind.”

Vendors such as Dominguez deny they are creating problems.

A meeting has been scheduled Tuesday between the residents group and city officials, including Councilman Mike Hernandez’s office, whose 1st District includes part of North University Park.

“We need information on what’s going on, first of all,” said David Marquez, a field deputy with Hernandez’s office who will attend the meeting. “But we also need to have an understanding between the neighbors and the catering trucks so that there is room for coexistence.”

But some residents say they are looking for the same respect for their neighborhood that other areas in the city enjoy.

“The reason we have a beef is this problem is only happening here,” said one resident who did not want to be identified. “You don’t see these trucks near the Beverly Center or the Westside Pavilion.”