News Summary
Buena Park officials have voted to grant code enforcement officers the power to impound equipment used by unauthorized street food vendors. This action follows similar measures in Anaheim, which has invested in third-party consultants to improve enforcement against unpermitted vendors. Concerns over public health and safety, highlighted by reports of unsafe food practices, motivate this crackdown. The new law allows for equipment confiscation and introduces a grace period for vendors. The cities struggle to balance demand for diverse food options with the need for health compliance.
Buena Park city officials have taken significant steps to enhance enforcement against unauthorized street food vendors. The City Council recently voted to allow code enforcement officers the authority to impound the equipment used by these vendors. This development is in response to similar enforcement actions by neighboring Anaheim, which has allocated $250,000 for third-party consultants to bolster its own efforts against unpermitted street vendors.
The issue of unauthorized street food vending has been a source of concern for both cities, as various vendors often employ lookouts to evade enforcement, complicating efforts to maintain public health and safety. In Buena Park, the city’s original regulations against street food vending were established in 2021, specifically banning these activities near Knott’s Berry Farm and the local auto center, in compliance with the California Safe Sidewalk Vending Act.
Despite these regulations, study sessions revealed that street vendors continued to operate on sidewalks, raising health risks associated with food safety. Reports have surfaced of flies and maggots found in food sold by some vendors, highlighting the public health concerns at play. However, a former city councilman expressed skepticism regarding the claim that all street vendors pose health risks, indicating the complexity of the situation.
Under the newly approved law, code enforcement officers can confiscate street food vending equipment for a period of 90 days and dispose of any food items found. Currently, Buena Park employs one part-time code officer dedicated wholly to enforcement of street vending regulations. Collaboration with the Orange County Health Care Agency has proven limited, with only one to three enforcement actions occurring each month. On average, up to a dozen street vendors operate in Buena Park on weekdays, a number that can surge to as many as 40 during events such as Halloween Haunt at Knott’s Berry Farm.
During the voting session, Councilman Carlos Franco expressed support for exploring legal avenues for street vendors, underscoring the community demand for diverse food options in the area. The council ultimately approved the new law with a 4-1 vote. Vendors whose equipment is impounded will be charged fees of $265. Code enforcement officers are authorized to impound equipment if it appears abandoned or poses safety hazards. Vendors will also be given a grace period of 30 minutes to vacate before any potential equipment impoundment takes place.
In Anaheim, the City Council has contracted with 4Leaf Inc. to provide additional staffing for enforcement of street vendors, particularly during high-traffic events such as games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center. This initiative aims to enhance public safety by addressing concerns over the quality of food being served by vendors, particularly after recent warnings regarding possible food poisoning incidents at these venues.
The independent contractors hired in Anaheim will possess similar impounding powers as city code officers, further strengthening the city’s enforcement capabilities against unauthorized vendors. The push for more strict enforcement measures has seen support from various city politicians, including a former mayor who lobbied for hiring more enforcement staff to manage the increase of street vending activity impacting public health and safety.
As both Buena Park and Anaheim ramp up their enforcement actions against unauthorized street food vendors, the cities face the ongoing challenge of balancing community demand for diverse food options with the necessity of ensuring public health and safety. These new measures reflect a concerted effort to address the complexities surrounding street vending in both communities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Huntington Beach Enforces New Regulations on Street Vending
Huntington Beach Implements Stricter Vending Regulations
California Faces Housing Decline Amid Economic Challenges
Additional Resources
- Orange County Register: Restaurants Shut Down
- Los Angeles Times: Orange County Street Food Enforcement
- The Record Live: Taste of the Bayou
- Wikipedia: Street Food
- Los Angeles Times: Latest News on Street Vendors
