Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
L.A. Bans Selling Stuff At Beaches And Parks
Adios raspados (Photo by Calvin Fleming via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
()
Ice cream! Hot dogs! Yoga! Many of your favorite summertime foods and outdoor activities are expected to soon disappear from L.A.'s parks and beaches with a reinstated ban on unpermitted vendors across the city.
The Los Angeles City Council voted last night to create a new set of rules that would impose escalating fines and possibly misdemeanor charges on almost anyone doing business in parks and beaches without city permission. The ban would prohibit many vendors from offering everything from exercise classes to popsicles, and pony rides to jewelry.
The restrictions are expected to have a devastating impact on those who rely upon these mobile businesses for survival. The revised rules, based on a previous ban, would still allow someone to sell paintings, books or other "expressive items" that they have created with the goal of protecting freedom of speech. But most of the refreshments we've been enjoying will likely be given the boot.
Currently, the city bans vendors from peddling their goods on sidewalks, but similar rules had been suspended for parks and beaches in the wake of two lawsuits, according to the L.A. Times. Supporters of the ban argue that it will protect the city from the legal risks of unlicensed vendors and keep public parks from being commercialized. Opponents contend that it unfairly punishes those who depend upon their business as an economic lifeline and that the misdemeanor charges could ultimately jeopardize some immigrants' chances at citizenship. Opponents also argue that the existing process for getting permission from the city to sell in parks and on beaches favors large concession stands, and permits can be difficult to come by for smaller vendors.
Support for LAist comes from
Lawyers are now drafting the new park and beach vending rules, and the City Council is expected to vote to approve them later this week. At the same time, the city is currently considering legalizing and regulating sidewalk vending, a move that could raise even more debate over the parks and beaches ban.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist