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Orange County cities, not food vendors, act like gangs against communities

April 5, 2023

To hear some local council members describe it, gang-like enterprises are overrunning their cities and attacking the quality of life of cities. They’re calling for a stepped-up police presence, new regulations and a crackdown to stop what Orange Council member Kathy Tavoularis reportedly described as “another attempt to get into our neighborhoods.”

Before Orange County residents get swept up in the latest big-government-enabling moral panic, we urge them to put the matter in perspective. We’re not talking about street gangs or human-trafficking operations but – and try not to laugh too hard – mostly small vendors who sell tacos, tortas, frutas and churros on street corners and in parking lots.

Late last month, the city of Orange voted unanimously to develop a new law that would limit, regulate and fine local vendors. Stanton is looking at strengthening its existing ordinance. In 2020, Tustin passed a new street-vendor law that imposes myriad conditions on food sellers. With help from Orange County health officials, Santa Ana shutteredmore than 1000 vendors last year.

So much for Orange County as a bastion of free markets. Tavoularis even made an odd ethic argument regarding these mostly Latino food vendors. “Everybody here knows my dad owned restaurants, a lot of Greeks own restaurants. I’m sticking up for the Greeks,” she said, per VoiceofOC. She accused the vendors of cheating restauranteurs.

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Her argument unveiled a key motivation of these rules, which, as the publication noted, are “fueled in part by complaints from brick and mortar restaurants.” Street vendors are not cheating anyone – but merely offer an alternative for some quick food. It’s not the job of government to protect the market share of influential businesses.

Gov. Gavin Newsom last year signed Senate Bill 972, which decriminalizes these operations. The law recognizes – as does this Editorial Board – that local governments have a proper role enforcing regulations to, say, keep vendors from blocking traffic or creating litter.

OC cities are going beyond those reasonable rules. Street vendors meet a need and help immigrants earn a living. They should be applauded, not harassed.

Orange County Register

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Orange County cities, not food vendors, act like gangs against communities

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