VENICE : Police Crack Down on Boardwalk Vendors, Artists

As the summer beach season draws near, police are cracking down on the Venice boardwalk’s sidewalk entertainers, artists and vendors--key players in one of Southern California’s most popular tourist attractions.

Comedians, dancers, fortunetellers, musicians and other boardwalk regulars are prohibited from accepting money from passersby under current law. Street vendors selling such items as candles, incense and homemade trinkets are also banned; however, nonprofit religious, charitable, philosophical and political associations are allowed to sell merchandise under the code.

Police this month began issuing warnings and citations to groups and individuals operating without proof of nonprofit status.

Rent-paying boardwalk merchants have complained for years to city officials and police about the illegal commerce, arguing that street vending on the western edge of the strip has deprived their shops of business.

But a loose coalition of activists has gone to court in previous years to protect the rights of sidewalk vendors and entertainers, alleging that the law is vague and unconstitutional.

“These rules hurt the free spirit of Venice Beach,” said Jerry Rubin, a community activist. “We are not for protecting illegal T-shirt and sunglass vendors, but for protecting those creative artisans and entertainers who must have a way to sell their crafts and talents. They are the ones bringing the crowds to the boardwalk.”

Last April, city recreation and parks commissioners proposed further restrictions on nonprofit groups by requiring that they “inextricably intertwine” their messages in their products and use display spaces no wider than six feet. While pushing for tighter restrictions on vendors, some merchants have asked for a special permit process for entertainers.