Glassell Park Council Meeting Gets Heated Over the Area’s Street Vending Situation

On Tuesday night, a group of residents crowded into Glassell Park’s monthly neighborhood council meeting to support the area’s recent spike of street vendors. The group objected to a comment from neighborhood council member Marcie Rose, who allegedly stated, “We do not want a Little TJ here,” in reference to Tijuana, Mexico, according to a report by L.A. Taco.

It appears the recent street vendor conflict began during the August council meeting. A community police advisory board member identified as Bradley, presented a letter recommending the council address problems associated with unlicensed street vendors throughout Glassell Park. In an August letter to the council, Bradley stated the following, “We do not want a proliferation of MacArthur Park-type pop-up vending and illegal vendors that define our neighborhood.” Bradley also addressed the council Tuesday night, noting the locations of new street vendors.

About the “Little Tijuana” comment, Rose said she never said it, though August council meeting attendees say otherwise. The meeting allegedly took on a heated tone while people voiced their opinion on everything from fear of immigration raids, unlicensed vendors, and locals trying to earn a living. Two masked protesters even revealed a banner saying, “Little Tijuana.”

Street vendors face an awkward position with timing, as the state passed the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, or Senate Bill 946 in 2018. SB 946 requires California cities and counties to develop their own local rules when regulating street vendors. But the Los Angeles City Council is still trying to determine those rules.

• ‘Little Tijuana:’ Drama Erupts At Neighborhood Council Meeting Over Backlash to Street Vendors in NELA [L.A. Taco]
• Here’s Everything to Know About LA’s New Street Vending Rules [ELA]