Street vendors dog WeHo’s enforcement efforts

The city admitted Monday it is struggling to clamp down on illegal hot dog vendors along Santa Monica Boulevard, blaming new state laws for handicapping their ability to enforce city code. 

In collaboration with Code Enforcement and the Sheriff’s Department, Block by Block security ambassadors have conducted special deployments over recent weekends to mitigate this problem. However, challenges persist due to state legislation that decriminalized street vending, complicating enforcement efforts.

At Monday’s Public Safety Commission meeting, city staff explained that, in the past, Code Enforcement officers could issue court notices, but current laws have limited their authority. Vendors often flee upon seeing officers.

“In almost all instances, the minute a street vendor sees a city staff member in uniform, particularly a code enforcement officer, they will either run away or push their cart very quickly,” Community Safety Director Danny Rivas said. “Staff is not expected, in any way, shape, or form, to engage or chase a street vendor. Of course, that becomes a bit of a back-and-forth from that perspective.”

The city’s geography adds to the problem.

“We’re surrounded by the City of Los Angeles on three sides, where there is no enforcement related to street vending, so it makes it even more difficult,” Rivas said. “Street vendors, who are used to operating in LA, now come into West Hollywood to do business.”

Code enforcement officers are working diligently and have been provided with overtime to assist without disrupting regular operations. When dealing with street vendors, officers try to obtain identification, often with the help of sheriff’s deputies, as vendors sometimes claim they don’t have ID. Since street vending is no longer a misdemeanor, deputies cannot detain vendors without identification.

If officers do get the vendor’s ID, they can issue a civil fine, but the amount is minimal and dictated by state law. If the vendor chooses not to pay, the fine goes through a recovery process, but it doesn’t significantly impact their credit, making it difficult to enforce consequences.

Residents voiced concerns during the public comment segment of the meeting. Larry Block expressed frustration with clusters of hot dog vendors operating between midnight and 3 a.m. He noted the absence of Code Enforcement officers during these hours and the impact on small businesses. Block emphasized the risks his employees face when dealing with problematic individuals without adequate support.

Block by Block report

During the meeting, Steve Be Cotte, Regional Director of Operations for Block by Block, presented an overview of the security ambassadors’ work in August. The ambassadors responded to 451 calls for service, averaging about 15 calls per day. They made 3,606 business contacts—approximately 120 daily—and engaged with unhoused residents 1,399 times, averaging nearly 45 interactions each day.

Be Cotte highlighted an incident over Labor Day where ambassadors observed an individual causing property damage. By maintaining a safe distance and coordinating with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), they assisted in identifying the suspect responsible for the crime. This collaboration underscored the effective partnership between Block by Block and law enforcement.

Stephanie Harker said she fears for the safety of Block by Block ambassadors, recounting an incident where an ambassador was attacked and suggested that they should be equipped with protective tools like pepper spray. Ambassadors currently lack means of defense, she says, which compromises their safety while performing their duties.

Commissioner Todd Hallman discussed the deployment times of kiosks operated by Block by Block, particularly the one at Santa Monica and La Brea. He suggested earlier deployment during morning rush hours to address increased activity. Staff acknowledged the logistical challenges, noting that ambassadors work specific shifts and that adjustments would require resource reallocation. They agreed to assess the possibility of modifying deployment times.

Regarding equipment, Be Cotte mentioned that the ambassadors’ bicycles are heavily used, resulting in significant wear and tear. Plans are underway to replace equipment and update odometers to improve efficiency. The average distance covered by bicycle patrols ranges from 10 to 20 miles per shift, depending on daily activities and calls for service.

Communication challenges were also addressed. Most ambassadors have phones without live data capabilities. To ensure issues are reported promptly, team leaders and supervisors with data-enabled devices handle reporting via the City app. When an ambassador encounters a situation requiring attention, they communicate with a team leader who uploads the necessary information.