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Officers write a citation to The Green Truck in August | Photo by Koga/LAist
Once again, workers along Wilshire Boulevard's Miracle Mile are witnessing an LAPD crackdown on the popular trucks that populate the area throughout lunchtime. One tipster, calling it a "raid," describes the scene in an e-mail:
But the cops are downstairs again giving tickets to the food trucks. They not only cited the fruit vendor, but they rolled his cart away and loaded it onto a tow truck. Also two cop cars are behind the “5 Marked” truck. Three cops are on the street going over the tickets with another plain clothed individual (possible health inspector?) who is holding a yellow file, which contains highlighted pages.
Another office worker from a different building says he can see at least three squad cars parked on Wilshire.
Some restaurant owners and managers have admittedly said they are frustrated with the trucks' presence, alerting authorities and politicians because of a loss in revenues. At least one restaurant manager told the LA Times that he's seen no difference in business. In past weeks along Wilshire, some trucks have been cited for minimal offenses, but others have had health permit issues, prompting seizure of the vehicles.
Previously: Green Truck Cited by LAPD on Wilshire
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It would be ironic if people started reporting health violations they observe at the complaining restaurants in the area.
Ironic or appropriate?
Granted if the truck in question does not have a health permit then they shouldn't operate. If they've applied for, been granted, but have not yet received it, that's another matter.
However if the police department is rousting these trucks at the behest of brick and mortar restaurants then they themselves are violating the law.
I was out there earlier for lunch, and saw a traffic cop come by and talk briefly to the fuXion truck to remind them to fill the meter, then left. Very friendly, no busting going on. So the Green Truck may have been facing an actual violation rather than the trumped-up ones that happened weeks ago.
I got there around 12:30, and counted 7 trucks parked and serving. Murmurs among people in line indicated the cops had maybe chased off a truck or two, and also that Green Truck had told people they were going to have to leave--only they were most definitely serving. The whole scene on Wilshire was totally laid back, and so long as the trucks are following the rules (i.e. permits, feeding meters) then I don't get the problem. Being that they're transient in nature, they don't pose a longstanding threat to brick-and-mortar restaurants, and surely people who live and work in the area will continue to cycle through all the local eateries for lunch as they grow weary of one and the next.
But all of them convening in one spot is bound to be a nuisance for some. I know it is for me, since none of them EVER come see us over on Sunset Blvd.
sniffle
I once at from that Green Truck business and the food wasn't very good, IMO. They deserve to be ticked just for that.