HomeMy WebLinkAboutVictor Meza_ 09_16_2020 - Open Session - Agenda Item No. 6_RedactedFrom:Victor Meza
To:Public Comments
Cc:
Subject:09/16/2020 - Open Session - Agenda Item No. 6
Date:Tuesday, September 15, 2020 9:35:57 AM
Dear San Bernardino Council Members,
This is to express my support of our street vendor community, and ask that you work to invest in education and
outreach before you adopt the Code Amendment to Section 5.30.120 and various Sections of Chapter 8.01 that
criminalize Street Vendors.
Leading a program with enforcement is asking for it to fail. Vendors don’t have access to compliant carts. They
need INVESTMENT NOT TICKETS! Invest in the infrastructure needed for them to be successful so they, too, can
continue to contribute to our economy.
San Bernardino City must invest in street vendors, they need comprehensive education and carts NOT
criminalization. For the past couple of months city staff and police officers are going out to cite vendors. The city
staff and proper outreach team should be working with vendors and community organizations. Street vendors are an
important part of our history. For the last 35 years they have fed our communities, including folks living or working
in food deserts throughout the city. It is time they receive investment like other small businesses.
The policy changes you are proposing only further criminalize and scale up enforcement, but fail to properly address
the real problem, which is that the proper cart required to be in compliance DOES NOT EXIST, and therefore
makes it nearly impossible to receive permits. By enforcing these discriminatory policies, the city is choosing to
enact racist and classist policies that target and criminalize valued immigrant entrepreneurs.
Economic mobility for all residents is important and I urge you to expand educational resources for vendors who are
working to contribute to our economy. Please VOTE NO on Agenda Item No. 6.
Sincerely,
Victor Meza II