Many Victor Valley locals have expressed concern on social media over a now-viral video of street vendors’ goods being confiscated by city code enforcement officers the day before Mother’s Day.
The altercation took place on Saturday, May 10 at the intersection of Hook Boulevard and Amargosa Road. In the video posted by OurHighDesert, Victorville code enforcement officers confiscated tens of flower bouquets that belonged to a Spanish-speaking couple.
The male vendor, whose name was not released in the video, stated that the officers refused to give their names, badge numbers and an explanation of the offense.
“They forget that they are employees of ours,” he said in the video. “They live for our taxes. We pay taxes [on the flower sales], but they were all taken away.”
According to Victorville officials, the city has designated several pre-approved locations in Victorville where permitted and licensed vendors can operate safely. These locations have been determined to provide adequate opportunities for motorists to park and purchase items to minimize traffic hazards while preserving ADA sidewalk accessibility, city officials said.
Because it lacks these safety features, however, Hook and Amargosa is not an approved location by the city.
“We join with the community who have expressed sympathy for the woman involved in this incident, but we have to balance our sympathy with respect for vendors and businesses who are operating lawfully,” city officials stated in an email to the Daily Press. “Our primary goal is to educate and encourage compliance with our municipal code, not to be punitive.”
What happened in the vendor incident, as per city officials
City officials stated that code enforcement officers made contact with three flower vendors operating near the corner of Amargosa and Hook on Saturday. None of the vendors contacted had proper licensing or permitting for business within the public right of way or on private property, according to city officials.
The three vendors were told that they were in violation of the municipal code, educated how they could apply for permits, issued notices to stop unpermitted operations and remove personal belongings.
When the code enforcement officers returned to the location a few hours later, one vendor remained.
The officers made contact and gave the unpermitted/unlicensed vendor a citation for illegal land use. According to city officials, the vendor would not remove the flowers, so officers removed them, stored them for her to pick up and gave instructions to claim her flowers.
The vendor was given until 5 p.m. Monday to claim the flowers.
City officials say they encourage all vendors wanting to do business in Victorville to learn about the licensing and permitting requirements.
The popular circulation of the video raises questions about the way street vendors are treated in the High Desert and in San Bernardino County.
The legalities of street vending in San Bernardino County
According to San Bernardino.gov, street vending is legal in San Bernardino County with certain requirements.
All vendors must obtain a permit from the City of San Bernardino Business Registration Office at 201 N E St. 201A, San Bernardino, to operate as a sidewalk vendor. The $64 business registration certificate and any county permits are required to be displayed at all times.
San Bernardino County supports stationary and roaming sidewalk vendors.
A stationary sidewalk vendor is a person who sells from a fixed location, whereas roaming vendors move from place to place and stop only to complete a transaction.
Sidewalk vendors are allowed to sell whole uncut fruit, pre-packaged food items that do not require refrigeration, general merchandise, and agricultural products (excluding cannabis), and cannot sell from a motorized vehicle.
Penalties for individuals operating without a vending permit
According to San Bernardino.gov, an administrative fine of $250 will be assessed for the first violation, $500 for the second violation and $1,000 for each additional fine issued within one year of the first violation.
The confiscation of offenders’ goods is not included in the official penalties as outlined by San Bernardino County.
McKenna is a reporter at the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com.