Raids on street vendors in El Monte have begun

A day after the city council unanimously approved a fire prevention and street safety ordinance, police in that city attacked five employees at a street taco store on the corner of Peck Road South and Magnolia Streets.

La Opinion witnessed the events that took place around 5 p.m. when a large group of police officers and workers from the city and the Los Angeles County Department of Health deprived the vendors of all the food they needed to prepare for their sales. got rid of him, iron, tables, dishes and tents.

According to the ruling, the protocol, which Councilor Alma Puente explained to La Opinión, provides for a notice of violation of city codes, followed by a fine of $100 to $300 if street vendors do not comply with the law, and finally confiscation. .

In yesterday’s case, vendors who did not have medical clearance were served with a confiscation order. They were supposed to remove all their equipment half an hour after the authorities arrived, but they didn’t.

“They won’t let us work,” said one taco maker. “They didn’t tell us anything; they just came in and gave us a role where they were going to take everything.”

The application of the new regulation could put an end to the work of at least 32 food vendors.

Amendments to local law provide powers such that El Monte police units will be empowered to enforce county fire regulations in that city, as happened with tuckers who have located their business on the corner of Peck Road South and Magnolia.

Mayor Jessica Ancona, Deputy Mayor Martin Herrera and Council members Marisol Cortes, Victoria Martinez Muela, Alma Puente, Ricardo Rojo and Julia Ruedas voted in favor of the measure.

There are at least 32 food vendors in their field of vision, which are located on the streets of the city with the most vehicle and people traffic: Ramona Boulevard, Peck Road, Garvey or Santa Anita Boulevard and others.

A vote by El Monte government officials amends laws regarding traffic obstructions and fire hazards.

Councilor Alma Puente told La Opinión that she remembers two fires from 2020, when she was elected.

“In one case, a tree burned down, and in another, a fire broke out due to a burnt podium,” the official said.

“But our intent is to protect the public from any fire hazard and remove obstacles on the sidewalks, especially for people with disabilities and families who walk with children and pets,” he said in a morning interview.

Compliance with the new guidelines will be enforced by code enforcement officers with the support of a building inspector, utility inspector or police who consider illegal use of cooking or heating equipment to be a “fire hazard” regardless of power source or availability. creates an open flame.

Sidewalk blocking is defined by El Monte authorities as the illegal use of any item or equipment that blocks or obstructs the free movement of a person on any street, sidewalk or other public space. It also includes “invading” a public street, road, alley, or sidewalk.

The new guidelines strengthen law enforcement’s ability to enforce public safety laws and address public health, safety and welfare concerns related to unauthorized street vendors, El Monte officials said.

“Does your ruling apply to taco vendors?” La Opinión asked Puente’s adviser before the incident that took place that afternoon.

“Not at all. I understand and do not ignore that many of these people who are in business will be affected, but our resolve is focused on protecting society, removing obstacles on the sidewalks, mainly for people with disabilities, and ensuring that families which children and pets can walk freely without fear of fire.

There are an estimated 10,000 sidewalk vendors in Los Angeles County, including El Monte, but the Department of Health has issued permits for only about 200 food vendors. The rest face fines and, in some cases, confiscation of tools.

Objectives of the Decree: