PEDDLERS FACING STRICT NEW LAW NUISANCE, SAFETY NOTED AS CONCERNS.

Byline: ERIC LEACH

Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY -- A strict new local law against street peddling will go into effect next month to stop increasing numbers of itinerant vendors who sell goods from vehicles on city streets and from carts set up along sidewalks.

The primary reason for the new ordinance is to maintain public safety, but the peddlers have also been creating a growing nuisance for residents and business operators, city officials said.

"I think what is happening today is conducive to crime," said City Councilman Steve Sojka, citing the potential for black-market sales. "This has nothing to do with oppressing the poor," he added, responding to critics who complained that the law targeted poor people who couldn't afford to establish stable businesses.

The vendors have been damaging landscaping, trespassing, invading people's privacy, creating health hazards, causing parking and traffic problems, and increasing the danger of vehicle crashes and injuries, city officials said.

The way some vendors move from place to place in and out of the community has also raised concerns about the potential for sales of defective or otherwise misrepresented goods.

David Hirsch, Simi Valley's city attorney, said the law was based in part on similar ordinances in other cities.

"It's a strict ordinance, but not unique," he said.

It does not apply to private property, so it would not affect bake sales at schools and churches, or a lemonade stand in someone's front yard.

"It's not an outright prohibition," he said, noting that such people as ice cream vendors will still be able to conduct business on city streets and people can still sell things such as Christmas trees or pumpkins on private property, with the owner's permission and temporary city permits.

"Ice cream vendors can work within the framework of the ordinance, but long-term vending is a problem in areas not designed for long-term activities," Hirsch said, noting that some peddlers have been staying in residential locations for hours with no restrooms or trash cans to contain littering.

Councilwoman Barbra Williamson said she has seen problems from street peddlers increasing in Simi Valley over the years, particularly on weekends and holidays.

"On Valentine's Day or on a long weekend, you have people selling flowers, rugs, flags, shirts, strawberries, you name it," she said.

Williamson said she sympathizes with vendors who might have trouble finding spots on private property, but said the ordinance is clearly supported by local residents and business owners.

Williamson and other council members noted that people who operate their businesses from shops pay rent, insurance costs and taxes.

"If someone can go onto a street corner and sell the same things with no taxes, undercutting the businesses, it's not fair," she said. "The small businesses in this community are our lifeline. We have to support them."

Police are expected to start warning violators and issuing citations March 15, when the law goes into effect.

People selling products from vehicles, such as ice cream vendors, will be allowed to remain at each stop no longer than 10 minutes.

Vendors are prohibited from trying to sell anything to people in their cars on any public street.

The ordinance also prohibits people from trying to sell things to people waiting in lines or seated in public areas where they would be considered a captive audience.

And it prohibits all peddling from nonmotorized vehicles on public sidewalks and by anyone sitting, standing or walking on public rights-of-way, including sidewalks, grassy areas and medians.

"We are going to mainly concern ourselves with people who are creating continual recurring problems," said Sgt. Dave Livingstone, a spokesman for the Simi Valley Police Department.

[e-mail]

[phone]