BREA : Law Aimed at Vendors, Beggars

The City Council gave tentative approval last week to an ordinance that would make it illegal to use center medians for purposes other than lawfully crossing the street. The public safety measure was unanimously approved at its first reading.

In a report to the council, City Manager Frank Benest said that a “proliferation of vendors and panhandlers” occupying center medians is creating a safety hazard for pedestrians and passing motorists.

Benest said the law is needed because raised center medians in Brea are so narrow “that an average size person could not sit or stand or otherwise occupy the median without encroaching into traffic lanes.”

Benest added that the presence of anyone in a median could distract motorists and possibly lead to a fatal accident. He also said that peddlers in the medians are likely to illegally step into traffic and upset the traffic flow.

There is a precedent for such a law, Benest told the council. He cited a provision of the State Vehicle Code that prohibits vending within 500 feet of freeways due to potential dangers.

If the City Council gives final approval to the proposed law, violators would be subject to a $100 fine for the first offense within a year. A second violation within a year would be punishable by a $200 fine, and a $500 fine would be levied for the third and any subsequent violations.

The city would also be able to use civil remedies including restraining orders and preliminary or permanent injunctions to enforce the measure.

Benest said the proposed law is designed to prevent traffic accidents, and is not aimed at eliminating panhandling or street vending in Brea.