Anonymous
(stock photo)
By edhat staff
Local authorities announced they will crackdown on illegal food vendors during Old Spanish Days Fiesta.
The Santa Barbara Police Department released a statement on Tuesday expressing the enforcement is due to public health concerns. The police, Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department, and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department are expected to strictly enforce state codes “pertaining to roving food vending during this year’s Fiesta.”
On Monday, a video was uploaded to Instagram by showing two women in a white City of Santa Barbara truck with badges and green gloves confiscating what appears to be bags of chips and snacks. The video also depicts a woman watching as her food is hauled into trash bags and thrown into the truck.
The instagram user @migglewiggle7 posted the video that has garnered over 20,000 views with hundreds of comments. Tyler Munoz saw the video started a GoFundMe page to help the woman earn back the money for the cost of the confiscated items.
“I’ve made this GoFundMe in hopes that the people of this town who support and love these vendors can hopefully raise some funds for the lady who lost all of her belongings […] I’ve also personally set this up because I know the lady personally and her family as well,” wrote Munoz.
The campaign goal was $100 and it’s currently reached over $1,000.
The Santa Barbara Police Department also published the California Retail Food Code and California Health and Safety Codes pertaining to food vendors. The City of Santa Barbara also requires permits for anyone operating a food facility and is lawfully able to impound food.
If you’re worried about eating bad food, don’t eat it. No need to ruin it for everyone!
I’ll never understand the double standards that happen so often in this town-it’s disturbing. Either we all follow the law or we will descend into chaos. If you don’t like the law, do something to change it. Or, expect more choices like Trump.
I am supporting my family through my business and operate so legally. Cry me a river.
So where is the food going the snacks and chips?
Horrible….they should be going after fires in the encampments…
A friend, in an office, is helping a family pay for a funeral..by making tamales..
I bought 3 trays…guess they should get arrested…
LCP112233 good for you, do you need a gold star? Yay! You’re the best!
@4:16. Thank you!
Where is the food going?
Hallelujah! Anyone who supports illegal food vendors doesn’t understand just how risky and dangerous that food can be. I was the health inspector for 10 straight Fiesta’s many years ago. It’s not about some poor person trying to make a living! It’s about keeping our community safe and clean and free of sickness and disease. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by having sanitation standards. Bravo to the City for stepping up and doing the right thing!
In SB I’ve gotten sick from legal restaurants, not so much from the street vendors. Here in Uruguay there are lots of street vendors everywhere selling everything. At the weekend “swap meet” people sell everything from food and fireworks to whiskey. A real breath of fresh air and Freedom. Freedom for the little guy too.
Hooray for the city enforcing food safety laws! Hooray!
The tiki torch holders are out… So where did the food go?
Funny how you can even ask a question without a small group of the small minded people thinking there is something weird about the question…
No one’s getting arrested.
That Go Fund me account is slowly growing you know what’s weird I have seen the good people of Mexico and points South give cash money to panhandlers on the street most of them from here most of them from there. These people have hearts of gold most are not hard core criminals except maybe they came here from somewhere else…Everyone has their opinions that goes against some grain even you Double Standards.
Too bad it’s not like, Santa Barbara’s no smoking laws . They implement the law but never enforce it . I don’t eat from unauthorized food vendors because unregulated food sales and be risky and unhealthful . On the other hand when i see one i just say to myself….let them choose . It’s their choice to eat or drink at one but if the City is so concerned over health issues then they should never allow outside eating at restaurants . I see rodents, especially rats scurrying all over the place downtown at night looking for food that’s left from outside dining establishments .
@migglewiggle7 lied in that GoFundMe plea. The woman didn’t “lose all her belongings.” She got busted for selling food without a permit and her food was confiscated. If you want to chance getting a get tape worm, then, by all means, get your food from street vendors who have no oversight, no permit and think it’s okay to be scofflaws.
There are a handful of more important things police in Santa Barbara could focus on (instead of food cart vendors) – Such as; aggressive homeless, gang activity, drunk driving, public intoxication, illicit drugs, traffic safety and public safety.
The city should have been “cracking down” on this all along. If you need a permit then you need a permit, period! Try selling things without a business license/permit or sales tax registration, etc. It’s ILLEGAL. Why people feel bad for those who refuse to follow the law is beyond me.
This isn’t Uruguay. This is they US where we have food safety standards and permit requirements.
We are all protected by a massive number of complex rules, regulations and laws that are so far out of one’s purview and understanding that one would need x-ray vision and an encyclopedic knowledge to comprehend their use or even understand their reasoning. Only a simpleton would assume they understand the web of regulations that exist to protect them in their daily lives let alone have the ability to ignore them at will…
I politely asked a street vendor to stop blaring his clown horn in front of my residence while my baby was napping. He looked at me dumbfounded. I chalked it up to not being able to understand me, but the next day when he came by he proceeded to stop in front and honk it directly at my residence. If that’s how it’s going to be, fine & confiscate them all.
Oh please !! Enough with all you uptight people and your noses in their about eating from street vendors and the “risk” geez man most health laws are so vastly exaggerated but we do need them because if not then yes obviously you will get sick but everyone knows the standards even the small “illegal” food vendors. And you me inspector should know DANG WELL more than most people , how nasty restaurants in Santa Bárbara are and you should know best how being an inspector , restaurants get a heads up and obviously act clean in front of you, the moment the inspectors leave back to normal and you know what ?? In spite of going back to normal RARELY RARELY RARELY do people even get sick !!! You get sick if you leave meat out for 7 days straight that’s OBVIOUS but little tiny things that the healthy departmen exaggerates in ? PLEASE. and Santa Barbara is disgusting with its restaurants compared to other cities. I’ve worked in multiple kitchens here and it’s much different than what a health inspector sees. Yeah that’s real concern right there sending an inspector ONCE a year. Free birds employees do not use gloves when touching your food has anyone gotten sick does the department say anything ?? Yes these street vendors SHOULD get permits unfortunately they were selling without one I’m sorry but those ladies were doing their job but also to the city make it cheaper and easier to get a permit not just for the millionaires
I find this article and the comments really interesting. I agree that we are faced with way too many rules, regulations, taxes, and other restrictions here in Santa Barbara. Much could be done about that. However, I have always believed in the concept of equal protection under the law and I am concerned about granting certain people special privileges and exemptions for the laws the rest of us have to comply with. Why do we regulate the preparation and sale of food in the first place? Why do we regulate the sale of merchandise on our sidewalks and public spaces? Why do restaurants have to comply with health and cleanliness requirements? Why don’t we just eliminate all these rules? What would downtown Santa Barbara look like without any laws to regulate selling food or other goods on the streets? We could be a sanctuary for capitalism, where commerce is allowed to take place without any regulation or oversight. I think a strong argument could be made that we need some laws to maintain the character and decorum of our town, but perhaps that ought to be the subject of another debate. The fact is we have a LOT of laws on the books. I it concerns me that many people believe that certain individuals or classes of individuals shouldn’t have to obey the law. Who gets a special exemption and who gets to make that decision? Can a middle class white male run an food stand on state street during fiesta without a permit, without collecting taxes, without complying with health regulations? How about an illegal alien from central or south america? Is the criteria for who is exempt from the law based on race? Is it based on gender? On income level? I find the implications troubling, and I’m doubtful it would be constitutional to codify such a special exemption from the rules in law. If Santa Barbara wants to allow unrestricted commerce downtown, so be it. However, if we are going to regulate local business then I think it’s only fair that everyone has to play by the same rules.
Bunch of delicate little snowflakes scared of having to witness someone else make the decision to eat risky food-cart food. Grow up folks. Don’t like it, don’t eat it! Simple.
It’s not just celebration of “brown” people. My Spanish grandma was blonde hair with blue eyes and fair skin.
I think your libertarian approach would be fair enough if it is extended to everyone. Many would argue the private sector is more effective than the government at regulating health and safety issues. Instead of trusting the government, we could turn to the private sector. Before going to a restaurant, check the reviews. I bet a number of private businesses would take up the slack much like the IIHS addresses car safety where the government’s regulations are inadequate. Perhaps such an approach could make restaurants cleaner and safer, while simultaneously eliminating the expense of the government paying people to enforce regulations. That could reduce the tax burden on residents, and further stimulate economic growth. I think this is a really exciting concept. Shall we deregulate santa barbara and turn it into a test case for what true capitalism could look like? The way downtown is going these days, what have we got to lose?
Chip of Sb you said that very well . Thank you I was more surprised that a woman who didn’t follow the law and who lost her “chips “ not exactly her belongings is now $1000 richer . So if you break the law in Sb ( no matter how bad / great the law is in YOUR opinion ) whether you agree / disagree with said law – you will have a go fund me account to make it all right . Wow , could you imagine if a white person got busted for not following the law , the comments here would look a-lot like “ serves him right “ even if he was trying to make a living as well . I assure you no go fund me account would be set up for him . The laws are for everyone to obey , no matter what color you are , or what is in your bank account . There are plenty of people trying to put food on the table in this town , who are struggling to make ends meet , but they obey the laws , regardless of whether any of you agree with the laws . They are laws . No go fund me for them I guess . Here’s the deal It doesn’t matter if you eat the food , That isn’t what this is about . It’s about the new law that was created and broken . BUT a -go -fund me account was created to make things right because her chips were confiscated. Not her house , her car and all her belongings , her chips mind you . You didn’t want to take her the city and help her to get a permit that she needed – you would rather reward her for breaking our laws . Unbelievable.
Today is National Raspberry Cream Pie Day…where can I buy one of these pies? Certainly not at a food cart.
So if I can catch meningitis or hook worm from a kids lemonade stand – then I want to see the police shutting down kids lemonade stands and issuing a citation to the parents.? Why are there laws on the books if we don’t enforce them? The law should be enforced equally.
Oh it must be racist person day. Why don’t you start to put the color of people’s skin last. Should we just allow people to do whatever they want because “there is plenty more to worry about”? We might as well just ignore the homeless too, and if people chose to do meth… We might as well make it legal because they choose to do that, right? You lack the logic my friend. It is more then just the possibility of people getting sick… A lot of the times, these vendors don’t have permits (in this case none of them do) and have 0 regulation. Most of the time they don’t pay taxes on this “business” and if they have gov. assistance, I highly doubt they will put this income on there paperwork. Therefore cheating the system and getting more help then they actually need.
Aien’t that the truth @Big Mack I’ve seen that myself for years it’s nothing new this is “A do as I say not as I do town.”
You would have to prove that you caught the menengitis or hook worm from the kid’s lemonade stand first. With all of the tests and doctors, that would be very expensive. You would also be out the $$ that you spent on the lousy lemonade.
Yes, we don’t have much culture in the US these days.
Which business would that be?
At a pie store.
Either remove all permitting laws or remove those that don’t comply. Pick one. Stop the double standards.
I don’t really care about the street food part of it – I do resent that I pay all sorts of fees and taxes to run my business in this city – and these carts do not.
If SB were serious about protecting food quality, they would implement a grading system for restaurants, A-F posted in the window by law. I’ve seen restaurant kitchens in SB that make any street vender look good!
Apparently Crime does pay. I wonder if Tyler Munoz will get any portion of the money raised. Sounds scammy to me
I am shocked that so many residents support unregulated, unchecked food prep and sales. Is this the same ignorance that is behind anti-vaxx? People ignoring science and well healed facts because their feelings tell them different? These laws exist to protect people from illness and death. People die from poorly prepared food all the time! The laws are there for your own good, not to hamper someone’s idea of an enterprising person… and certainly not their to be used by some people to wedge a political or racial issue into the conversation. The two tiered system /double standard in SB is out of hand.
I would say street vendor food is much more healthier than any fast food restaurant. It was sometime in the 90’s that I took my for lunch at Joe’s Cafe, she ordered the pork chops. A few hours later she became sick. The pork chops were under cooked and that got her sick. She told me she noticed that while we were at Joe’s Cafe. I asked why didn’t she anything. My mom just told me she didn’t want to make trouble. Good thing I didn’t have to take her to the hospital that day for getting serious food poisoning.
In the video, it looks like they are only taking the repackaged food (chips split into little ziplocs for sale) and leaving the commercially prepackaged stuff.
“Scofflaws” – why is it that this term is used so often in comments where the authors are assuring us it is not about “race?” Scofflaws crossing the border – must be detained. Scofflaws working here illegally – must be deported. Scofflaws selling unpermitted fruit – must be arrested/cited. You can usually tell how someone votes when they use that silly, out-dated term. Bunch of scofflaws!
If these vendors were white soccer moms, I bet you all would be upset that they can’t sell homemade cookies and lemonades to raise money for their kids’ polo lessons……
Such a lack of empathy for people trying to achieve the American dream. Plus I wonder how many people criticizing these “lawbreakers” also violate laws on a daily basis like jaywalking, speeding, not stopping for pedestrians, etc. Double standard much?
The old “racism card” is being used so much these days… it’s getting really old.
Pitmix- sounds like you raised your hand in support of open borders too. Why have any laws if you don’t enforce them
Pitmix, i’m with you on this one man…this is some serious BS…this town is full of nosey busy bodies that like to think they are some official…something. Just like you, i have been here for decades watching these vendors. How about this….the people that buy food from them are risking it for themselves. this doesn’t harm anyone really. A bag of chips? FFS! It’s sealed. I’ve seen people with push carts selling hot dogs, burgers, tortas, etc….with lines as long as the booths in the mercado. I hope this lady and others get their money back after being robbed by the city…
Oops, what?? we are talking about people simply trying to earn money. Would you rather them just steal instead? they are working, trying to earn a living to support themselves and their kids. Have some empathy. Stay on topic and don’t be a d*ck….
Thomas, these carts are out and about 1 maybe 2 days a year….you really think they should pay the same ridiculous fees and taxes to sell about $50 worth of doritos and water? really? seems common sense has flown out the window on Edhat
Zerohawk you have no idea if what you posted here is true as you cannot know the business practices of these sellers. Please speak to the facts and make less emotional unsupported claims. Licensing is needed to protect us from health risks and to assure compliance with other laws such as time, place and manner. Do you think people should be able to drive cars without licenses is they only do so once in a while?
Apologists for these pirate vendors: Please speak to the facts and make less emotional unsupported claims. Licensing is needed to protect us from health risks and to assure compliance with other laws such as time, place and manner. Do you think people should be able to drive cars without licenses is they only do so once in a while?
Stewart14 – the only people who complain about the “old racism card” are usually, well…racists.
Is it “Angry White Guy/Gal Day” here again? Haha, you folks should stress about other things, there’s plenty more to worry about than whether some people voluntarily eat food cart food.
Fake business
Yes, we should also stop worrying about whether the plumber connects the sewer properly or the gas line leaks or the medicines we take from someone on the street corner are going to kill us. Just one big free for all libertarian Darwinian zoo and let the “strong” survive.
The day I watched a woman change her baby’s diaper in her van and then, without washing her hands, go back to her food cart was the last time I ever patronized them.
10:19 – just stop. Prescription medication and mangoes on a stick are pretty distant on the list of stuff that is important to worry about. Don’t worry, you’ll be just fine if someone else eats a bag of unpermitted chips. I know it might be frightening to you to have to watch, but you’re (hopefully) an adult and can manage the trauma of witnessing unlicensed corn consumption.
Now that Big Mack bought it up I’m really curious about the rats and mice downtown they have been there for years so I don’t think they can be blamed so much on the homeless or food vendors. I remember going to Wells Fargo downtown where the Amazon building is now I’d be getting money out of the ready teller little boogers be running past me seen them in a restaurant downtown years ago now the rodent problem is much bigger downtown I wonder where they are all coming from I never saw a rat in a food vendor cart jus sayin…Interesting Double Standards Do as we say not as we do…
Agreed. Law enforcement has a lot on their hands. Illegal food vending is one of the many problems they have to deal with.
It must be either Angry White Guy Day, Bootlicker Day, it False Patriotism Day. Lots of anger over such a minor issue. I think there is a lot of resentment going on that others are celebrating the culture of brown people. Everyone should get out and enjoy Fiesta!
Great point shut down all bake sales immediately
Generaltree – EXACTLY! If bake sales or other homemade food sales at school festivals, etc are OK, then why aren’t these? If you all are truly terrified of homemade food, then you can NEVER eat your neighbor’s brownies, go to a friend’s bbq, etc….. This is the problem – no one is upset about possible tainted food that they will never eat…. everyone here is upset that some “scofflaws” (ie, possible illegal immigrants) are making a few bucks selling food. Please stop with all the “outrage” and “concern” over non-permitted foods.
lmao you need to get a better hobby…the sky isn’t falling chicken little…
just wow…
comparing a street vendor selling chips and water to someone connecting a gas line? that’s just dumb.
sorry dude….i don’t need someone to carry a license to sell chips and water to keep me safe. my own mind tells me who to buy from and who not to buy from. if you’re so weak minded that you need government to make logical decisions for you, how you spend your money and who you buy things from…you have far bigger problems.
i don’t need someone to carry a license to sell chips and water to keep me safe. my own mind tells me who to buy from and who not to buy from. if you’re so weak minded that you need government to make logical decisions for you, how you spend your money and who you buy things from…you have far bigger problems.
Zerohawk, can you really be so naive? A “license from the government” is not what makes the vendors safe. It is the rules that exist behind the ability to get that license that makes us safer. You simply do not have the capacity and experience and knowledge to do all the things necessary to keep our community safe on a day to day basis. That is why we hire others to do this for us and pass laws giving them the right to do that. We all benefit from this. Individuals wanting to take risks for themselves on their perception that they are more intelligent and more competent to know things than others are mostly just arrogant but often stupid as well. I imagine you think you can tell if climate change is real by looking out your window each morning!
Agreed 100%. Soccer moms don’t have a food handling license. Shut them down. Churches, schools – all must be shut down if we are going to police the law equally.
Now that Fiesta is underway let’s see how many uninspected/unpermitted food vendors are busted and how many escape the white gloved (jack booted?) enforcers.
Years ago there were these yellow and black trucks that used to drive around town. They had incredible baked goods, and in particular they sold these huge cream puffs that were light and delicate. These things were impossible to eat without getting cream on your face. Anyway, I do not think these trucks were permitted by the Health Department. Oh, to have just one bite of one of them delicious cream puffs and my life would be complete. “Oh, do I have some cream on my face?”
Wow General…that’s pretty….ridiculous. Busting kids for selling lemonade? You really need to lighten up
Who would want to play Russian roulette with their intestinal tract by getting food from a food cart with no hygienic quality control? Lots of warm sun, no control of flies is a city full of human fecal matter, no hand washing facilities, and plastic gloves worn for extended periods of time after touching many unsanitary surfaces before touching the food you put into your mouth. No thanks.
Whats good for the goose is good for the gander we cannot play favorites here no selling of any foods or drinks on the streets. The city is singling out one group of people…If they cannot sell food from a cart then Little Johnny has to shut down his lemonade stand. No bake sales either Your going to have to get Aunt Marthas muffins somewhere else. Still wondering about the rodent problem on State street there must be a food source for there to be so many.