In a move aimed at addressing the issue of stolen merchandise sales, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed legislation that empowers city officials to tackle sidewalk vendors selling goods of unclear provenance, including toiletries and snacks.
Although the sale of stolen goods has always been illegal, the new law allows city supervisors to develop additional ordinances, marking a notable shift in the city’s approach to street vending.
This development surfaces amid a backdrop of previous attempts to regulate curbside commerce, including a complete ban on vending along Mission Street in 2023 and the fencing off of areas like the 24th Street BART plaza in 2022.
Senate Bill 276, authored by State Senator Scott Wiener, presents a new legal framework for San Francisco to enforce laws against the sale of stolen items, which Wiener argues has contributed to chaos in the streets.
“Organized crime started pushing our legitimate street vendors out,” Wiener remarked during a press conference in the Mission, highlighting the pervasive issues of retail theft and public safety that have emerged as a result.
Under this legislation, city officials can issue citations, pursue misdemeanor charges, and confiscate goods from vendors unable to prove their merchandise’s legitimacy.
Importantly, this law is an incremental step against the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act of 2018, which decriminalized street vending and delegated regulation responsibilities to agencies other than the police.
Initially seen as a progressive policy, the 2018 act has faced scrutiny as street vending proliferated during the pandemic, with many citing it as a signal of the city’s decline.
The new enforcement process involves two steps: first, the Department of Public Works (DPW) must provide written warnings to vendors suspected of dealing in stolen goods.
Following the warning, police can act if vendors cannot provide proof of purchase.
To enhance enforcement efforts, Captain Sean Perdomo of the San Francisco Police Department announced the creation of a shared database with DPW to monitor vendor warnings.
“This will allow us to expedite these projects,” Perdomo said, indicating that freed-up resources would support increased patrols in areas affected by illegal street vending.
Support for the legislation has come from various stakeholders, including the Mission Street Vendors Association, which actively participated in the legislative process by testifying in Sacramento multiple times.
Gladys Andino, representing the association, emphasized the harm that illegal vendors cause to legitimate entrepreneurs and the unsafe conditions resulting from their presence.
In support of the new law, William Ortiz-Cartagena of the community organization Clecha expressed that street vending is integral to the culture of San Francisco and the Mission district.
“This law sends a clear and loud message that criminal activity will no longer be tolerated,” Ortiz-Cartagena stated, highlighting the ramifications of the legislation for small business protection.
Wiener credited the determination of street vendors and community groups for the bill’s passage, noting that their efforts were instrumental after a failed attempt to advance similar legislation a year prior.
As a part of the support structure for legitimate street vendors, San Francisco has instituted a low-cost permitting system, facilitating access for most applicants by offering fee waivers.
As this new law comes into effect immediately, the city now holds additional tools to mitigate challenges presented by illegal street vending and the sale of stolen goods, further shaping the landscape of commerce on its streets.
image source from：sfstandard
