I'm convinced there isn't a law illegals don't break.


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Police crack down on illegal vendors

By ALEJANDRO CANO



In an effort to improve the image of the city and to protect residents from diseases, city staff (in conjunction with San Bernardino County Code Enforcement and the Fontana Police Department M.E.T. Unit) conducted a sweep that targeted illegal street food vendors on June 29.

Thirty-one citations were given to those who were caught selling food and home-prepared drinks during the one-day operation. In addition, a total of 12 carts used to carry the merchandise and two bicycles were confiscated.

According to Ted Porlas, code compliance manager for the city, illegal vendors put residents at risk of disease and affect businesses that are operating in a legal manner.

"Illegal vendors pose a threat to residents because they don't properly handle food. They don't have a clean place to prepare food. They don't even have a place to wash their hands," said Porlas. "They also affect businesses who went through the process to obtain their permits. It's not fair for them."

Porlas also argued that most of those people who were cited will not show up in court.

"Nine out of ten people will not go to court. Some have been already cited before and some even have warrants for their arrests," said Porlas. "Most of these people have no IDs, they use false names and have broken the law before."


ILLEGAL street vending is, at least for Martin Gutierrez, the only way to bring home enough money to feed a family of three. Although Gutierrez, a Mexican immigrant from the state of Oaxaca, wasn't cited, he argued that what the city is doing is wrong because it is targeting those who have no means of protection.

"Instead of going after us, they (code enforcement officers) should be arresting those who sell drugs. They do more damage to the city than us," said Gutierrez. "We are trying to make a living. We don't even make that much money. Those who beg make more money than us. It's not fair."

Julian Contreras, 34 and an illegal vendor, agrees with Gutierrez and added the sweeps are a waste of money and time because the activity will never stop as long as there are clients.

"They (city staff) are saying we don't wash our hands; we are selling fruit, people can wash them at home anyway. They also say we don't use proper sanitary conditions, but you know what, people don't care," said Contreras. "People buy whatever we sell because it's cheaper and because it's there. It doesn't matter how many people they arrest, there will always be vendors because that's what people like. Instead of spending time citing vendors, they should spend it making plans to arrest drug dealers."

Alfredo Estay, a longtime Fontana resident, said that street vending "is part of the Hispanic culture" and added that all illegal street vendors are doing is trying to make a decent living. While Estay agrees with city regulations, he urged city staff to also understand the situation that illegal immigrants face.

"Do you think they (vendors) like to be selling fruit on the corners? Do you think they like to work under the sun for a few bucks? They don't, but they have no choice. These people can't find work, no one hires them," said Estay. "It's easy to say that what they are doing is wrong, but put yourself in their shoes and you will find out that what they are doing is decent. The city has to understand that street vending is, for most of those people, the only means of bringing food to their houses. They are residents too, you know. Give them a break."

NEVERTHELESS, the city has clearly stated that illegal street vending will not be tolerated within the city's jurisdiction. County officials have also said the activity will not be accepted in the unincorporated county areas.

"We had a sweep about six months ago and it yielded good results. We'll continue to have these sweeps to protect our residents," said Porlas. "If illegal vendors are found giving false names and they are found with warrants, they will be arrested. Illegal vending is simply not allowed in Fontana."