The controversy centers on criminal citations issued to street vendors near MacArthur Park. According to Bass’ office, LAPD acknowledged that some of those citations were issued in error.
Bass has now directed the department to stop issuing criminal citations to street vendors and is seeking to have citations issued incorrectly dismissed so vendors do not end up with criminal records.
“The Mayor and her team will continue meeting with street vendors to implement policies and programs based on their needs,” Sterling said in a statement to the Times, calling street vending “a quintessential part of L.A.’s world-class food scene” and a livelihood for thousands of Angelenos.
The mayor’s office is also asking LAPD to determine whether similar citations were issued in other parts of Los Angeles.
WHY IT MATTERS
The decision comes as street vending has become a major political issue in Los Angeles, particularly in the city’s mayoral race between Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman.
During a mayoral debate last week, Bass said food vendors should not operate directly in front of brick-and-mortar restaurants, arguing that doing so could discourage customers from patronizing those businesses.
“Just like you shouldn’t have encampments in front of restaurants or in front of schools, you just should not do that,” Bass said.
The remarks drew criticism from street vendor advocates and Raman, who accused Bass of comparing vendors to homeless encampments.
Bass’ office later emphasized that the mayor “stands firmly with street vendors” and had ordered LAPD to stop issuing criminal citations and dismiss those issued in error so vendors are not left with criminal records, according to the New York Times.
What the Law Says
Under California law, sidewalk vending has been decriminalized, although vendors remain subject to local regulations and permitting requirements.
The New York Times reported that advocates have raised concerns that police have sometimes used an anti-camping ordinance to cite vendors around MacArthur Park.
The distinction between decriminalized vending and local permitting or regulatory requirements is at the center of the dispute. While vendors may be allowed to operate under state law, they can still be required to comply with city rules governing where and how they conduct business.
Raman's Proposal
Raman unveiled her own street vending policy proposal Wednesday as the issue continues to gain attention during the mayoral campaign.
The proposal includes an Immigrant Economic Opportunity Hub that would provide permitting assistance, microloans and legal help to vendors.
It also calls for designated vending zones equipped with:
- Shared sinks
- Electricity
- Lighting
- Shade
- Restrooms
Raman has previously supported efforts to make legal vending more accessible. In 2024, she backed a measure that reduced Los Angeles’ vending permit fee from $541 to $27.51.
The Bigger Political Question
The dispute over street vending has become more than a question of enforcement. It has also become a debate over how Los Angeles should balance small-business opportunities, public-space regulations, neighborhood concerns and the livelihoods of thousands of vendors.
Bass is attempting to emphasize support for vendors while also arguing that businesses should not have vendors operating directly in front of restaurants.
Raman, meanwhile, is proposing additional infrastructure and assistance intended to make legal vending easier and more accessible.
The disagreement could become an important issue for voters as the two candidates head toward the November runoff election.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
LAPD is expected to review whether similar criminal citations were issued to street vendors elsewhere in Los Angeles.
Bass’ office is also working to have citations issued in error removed, potentially preventing affected vendors from carrying criminal records related to those cases.
Meanwhile, Raman’s proposed vending policy could become part of the broader debate over how the next mayor would regulate and support street vendors.
Bass and Raman are scheduled to face each other in the November runoff election.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- How many street vendors were incorrectly issued criminal citations near MacArthur Park?
- Whether similar citations were issued elsewhere in Los Angeles.
- How quickly charges stemming from the erroneous citations can be dismissed or removed.
- Whether LAPD will change its enforcement policies citywide following the mayor’s directive.
- How the street-vending dispute will affect the November mayoral runoff.