Food trucks in Los Angeles targeted by opportunistic thieves exploiting legal loopholes.
Thieves Terrorize Food Truck Operators and Street Vendors in California
Thieves in California have been causing havoc for food truck operators and street vendors, resorting to armed robberies to steal their hard-earned money. These criminals know that they are unlikely to be reported or prosecuted for their crimes, making it a terrifying situation for the victims.
Many of these vendors operate without official permits and licenses, existing in the gray areas of the law. This makes them easy targets for criminals looking to make a quick profit. Despite their fear, these vendors cannot afford to stay home and must continue working to make ends meet.
Gladys Lopez, a 51-year-old carne asada vendor in the Westlake area, expressed her concerns, saying, “It’s making me rethink selling food.” However, she relies on the income to pay for rent and other necessities, even if it means putting herself in danger every day.
Immigrant-run Street Stands Face Greater Vulnerability
In Los Angeles, food truck operators are required to have the necessary city and county permits. However, the makeshift sidewalk stands that have become popular in recent years often go unnoticed. While street vending has been decriminalized in California, many of these stands are run by immigrants, some of whom are undocumented. This makes them less likely to report incidents to the authorities.
This summer, there has been a disturbing increase in armed robberies targeting food stand workers. Tacos Los Chemas and four nearby food stands in South Los Angeles were hit in late May and early June. Sal Martinez, the owner of Tacos Los Chemas, described the terrifying experience of having a gun pointed at one of his employees’ heads.
Similar incidents occurred on July 9, when four more vendors in the area were held up within an hour. On August 16, six taco and street food stands were robbed in Hollywood, Echo Park, and downtown Los Angeles. The criminals worked in teams, stealing cash and cellphones.
Advocacy and Support for Vulnerable Businesses
Rudy Espinoza, executive director of the advocacy group Inclusive Action for the City, highlighted the vulnerability of food trucks and street vendors compared to traditional restaurants. He emphasized the need for the city to provide better support and protection for these entrepreneurs.
The Los Angeles Police Department has assigned detectives to investigate this emerging crime trend. However, community members like Edin Alex Enamorado and Fernando Gonzalez have taken it upon themselves to assist vulnerable businesses. Enamorado, a former regional field director for Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Gonzalez offer their security services for free.
Enamorado’s Instagram page, with over 231,000 followers, provides updates on the crimes and whether the perpetrators have been brought to justice. He and Gonzalez have also created a WhatsApp group chat for vendors to report suspicious individuals and crimes that may otherwise go unreported.
This issue is not limited to Los Angeles. Robberies against street vendors have been on the rise in Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, where nine food trucks and street vendors were attacked in a single morning in May.
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