Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has ordered the Los Angeles Police Department to stop issuing criminal citations to street vendors who do not adhere to city regulations. Her administration is also requesting the dismissal of any past criminal citations that were issued improperly. This directive comes as Bass faces a competitive reelection campaign.
As of 2024, the city has more than 50,000 street vendors, but only 687 possess active vending permits. Mayor Bass stated her administration stands firmly with street vendors, aiming to protect them from federal immigration enforcement actions.
"Street vending is a quintessential part of LA's world-class food scene and a livelihood for thousands of hardworking Angelenos," Bass said in a statement. "Supporting LA's street vendors is more important than ever given ongoing attacks by ICE."
The decision has drawn criticism from brick-and-mortar business owners who argue that unlicensed street vendors negatively impact their sales, particularly during large events like the World Cup or the upcoming 2028 Olympics. Anthony D'Eugenio, owner of Big Dix's Hot Dogs and a licensed vendor himself, expressed frustration.
"Bass is pandering to stay in office. Why is it that only brick and mortars have to abide by high scrutiny?" D'Eugenio stated. "They punish hardworking people and reward criminals. It's insulting to me when somebody right across the street from me does what I do and charges more money than I do with complete immunity."
Meanwhile, Bass's opponent in the mayoral race, Councilmember Nithya Raman, has proposed a different approach. Raman's plan, termed an Immigrant Economic Opportunity Hub, aims to streamline the licensing process for vendors. The initiative would provide microloans and support services, with incentives for food stands that prepare fresh foods. Raman's proposal also includes designated vendor districts designed to foster coexistence between street vendors and established businesses, potentially guiding vendors toward brick-and-mortar locations.
Raman, who previously endorsed Bass for reelection, entered the race late. Elected to the city council with the support of the Democratic Socialists of America, Raman's platform is expected to test whether voters in Los Angeles lean further left to address issues such as homelessness, infrastructure, and housing costs. The mayoral election, technically nonpartisan, saw Bass secure less than 35 percent of the vote in preliminary returns, a challenging position for an incumbent seeking re-election.