Illegal Street Vending In Watsonville Getting Police Attention

WATSONVILLE, CA — Officers with the Watsonville Police Department will be cracking down on illegal street vendors following concerns by local residents, it was announced Tuesday. Police say they have received numerous complaints, but many of the illegal street vendors—including food truck operators—are unaware of what the city requires to operate.

According to Watsonville police, they are ramping up efforts to educate these vendors. “We’re not trying to shut down vendors. We know this is their livelihood. We’re just wanting them to obtain the permits so that they know the rules and regulations,” said Watsonville Police Officer Elizabeth Sousa.

All traveling merchants in Watsonville are required to have three different permits: a Santa Cruz County Health Department permit; a permit from the Watsonville Police Department; and a business license from the City of Watsonville. Sousa explained that it takes about a month for the police department to approve and issue a permit. However, the vendor must already have a permit from the Santa Cruz County Health Department and any form of valid identification.

“When you bring that in, we conduct a background check and with that, we take your fingerprints. We just make sure you’re not wanted for any major crimes,” Sousa said.

“Since we’re dealing with children, they can’t just be handing out permits to everyone if they’ve committed any major crimes,” said Omar Luna, a Watsonville ice cream vendor whose cart was taken away in 2018 for operating illegally within city limits. Luna has since obtained all the required permits, according to police.

“We’re doing this to ensure the safety of the community as well as the vendors,” Sousa added.

Merchants who are interested in obtaining permits through the Watsonville Police Department and the City of Watsonville can call (831) 768-3386, or visit http://bit.ly/2K9UbyB