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ANARCHY IS NEVER
A GOOD IDEA |
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In my never-ending search for an issue that almost all of us
can agree on, whether you're right-wing or left-wing or center-wing, I am
delighted to announce that I have found something.
Come down to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco on a weekend.
Visit the area on the waterfront between Pier 41 and The Franciscan
restaurant. It is there, on the sidewalks, that you will experience
absolute chaos. Anarchy reigns supreme.
Sidewalk vendors are everywhere. It could be any third-world
country. They're selling counterfeit Warriors, 49ers and Giants
merchandise and they're grilling hot dogs and sausages with no regard for
Health Department regulations. And here's my favorite---there are at least
10 vendors offering margaritas and other alcoholic drinks, including shots
of tequila, to anyone who wants to pay.
It's a vibrant scene, and tourists don't mind it at all. No
longer do you have to go to a third-world country to experience a street
market unimpeded by any regulations. It's right here in San Francisco,
California, home of complete lawlessness.
It all stems from Senate Bill 946, which became effective
January, 1, 2019 and is beginning to create chaos on the sidewalks. The
intent was to basically allow vendors to sell their food or merchandise
anywhere they want, creating an entrepeneurial opportunity for practically
anyone.
SB 946 does allow cities to require permits for vendors, but
can't limit the number or the location. That's okay, because San Francisco
doesn't even have a licensing requirement. They're talking about it, but
no one dares to mess with these little sidewalk businesses.
Except that they're not little. The educated rumor is that
it's a shady company out of Los Angeles that is orchestrating all the
vendors. The company provides the goods and hires the vendors. They pay no
rent, no fees and there's little doubt they pay no sales tax, payroll tax
or income tax. It's quite the business.
Where's the Health Department? Where's the Department of
Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC)? I own restaurants and we're inspected
almost monthly. The Health Department will threaten to shut you down if
the refrigerator temperature isn't cold enough. Yet these guys are
grilling without any safeguards, let alone a refrigerator.
And the ABC is notorious for enforcing liquor regulations.
Every establishment is petrified of losing their liquor license, which in
San Francisco costs about $250,000. Yet these guys are openly selling
tequila shots to practically anyone. Bring your 16 year old down and watch
him or her have their first drink.
Counterfeit merchandise? No problem for the vendors. I own
retail stores, and a few years ago Homeland Security (it's within their
jurisdiction, believe it or not) actually came in and confiscated some
Warriors merchandise that was purchased from a supplier who (unbeknownst
to us) didn't have a license to sell it.
That's the way it should be. The Health Department, ABC, and
Homeland Security should be protecting the public from dirty food,
unrestricted liquor and counterfeit merchandise. So why aren't they
regulating these vendors?
Because there's no leadership, that's why. Everyone, from the
Mayor to the police chief to other governmental agencies, is shying away
from messing with SB946. So they let them run wild, and it's only going to
get worse.
I love San Francisco, I really do. I was born and raised in
this city, and it pains me to see what's going on. This column could have
been about crime or homelessness or mental health, but I chose illegal
vendors. But no matter what subject, it comes down to a lack of
leadership.
As I noted in the beginning, very few can argue that these
vendors selling alcohol, unsanitary food and counterfeit merchandise
should be left alone. Whether you're in favor of more government or less
government, I'm venturing to guess that almost everyone is in favor of
some government. And we need some governance here.
We need rules and regulations. We need laws. We need
enforcement. Walk through the bazaar that is happening on weekends at
Fisherman's Wharf, and you'll realize we have none of the above.
I still believe in San Francisco. Any place this beautiful
will survive. But good golly, does it have problems, and the vendors are
just one of many examples. Someone, someday, will take charge and be the
leader we can rally behind. I just hope it's sooner rather than later. |
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