The incident was a reminder that street vendors in Los Angeles have a kind of duel identity. Los Angeles is one of the few big cities in the nation that does not allow some form of sidewalk vending. In February, the City Council voted unanimously to decriminalize street vending. That was an important change because problems associated with street vending, such as cluttered sidewalks or trash, are quality of life issues, not crimes. Yet nearly six months later, we’re still waiting for an ordinance to legalize street vending and set practical, enforceable rules to guide the industry.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 01, 2017 12:01 UTC