Inside the ruthless crime wave targeting L.A.’s vulnerable street food vendors
1 year, 4 months ago

Inside the ruthless crime wave targeting L.A.’s vulnerable street food vendors

LA Times  

It was nearly midnight, and Saul Martinez was cleaning up Tacos Los Chemas’ kitchen, a cramped space fragrant with the scent of pork roasted on the trompo. “It’s making me rethink selling food,” said Gladys Lopez, 51, a carne asada vendor in Westlake who uses the extra cash from the job for rent and other necessities. Antonio said the robbers also pillaged his workers’ wallets, noting: “They took $40 from the cook.” Antonio said it was the first time in 30 years that his employees had been robbed at gunpoint. “I felt outsmarted,” said Enamorado, a former truck driver who served as regional field director of the Central Coast for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign. “We have an economic downturn — people are desperate — so vendors are putting themselves in harm’s way,” said Geller, who also is chief executive of Best Food Trucks, a booking and ordering platform.

Food Security Money Honda Los Los Angeles Vendors Gonzalez Street Martinez Robbers Two Men Lopez Maria Tacos Stephens Enamorado Food Trucks Crime Wave His Apron Tacos Los Chemas 103Rd Street Tacos Delicioso  vendors  vulnerable  robbers  las  crime  wave  lopez  food  los  security  martinez  ruthless  inside  tacos  street  money  la  targeting

History of this topic

Street vendors, a core part of L.A.’s culture, often struggle to survive
1 year, 5 months ago

Street vendors, a core part of L.A.’s culture, often struggle to survive

LA Times  

Across L.A., street vendors can be seen on almost every other block. Vendors must obtain a business tax registration certificate, a California state seller’s permit, pay the vending permit fee as well as obtain an L.A. County public health permit. Orozco said the main reason she has not been able to renew her food vending permit is because she is …

Column: In defense of street food vendors and the right to honest, hard work
2 years, 5 months ago

Column: In defense of street food vendors and the right to honest, hard work

LA Times  

Kelly Parra shows his support in May for street fruit vendor Tomas Escamilla, who was attacked in Woodland Hills. In my hometown of Anaheim, councilmember Jose Moreno — who fought a lonely fight for years against corruption at City Hall and is the chair of the longtime civil rights group Los Amigos of Orange County — shocked supporters when he …

Discover Related