Council and public speakers press city on transit safety and unregulated food vending in South End
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Summary
Public commenters and several council members raised concerns about violence on buses and light rail and about unregulated food vendors and public-safety risks in South End; the city manager said staff will discuss enforcement and expand pilots where appropriate.
Multiple residents and council members pressed Charlotte City Council on Aug. 25 about recent violent incidents on buses and light rail and about unregulated food vending in South End.
Tyler Koch, owner of Piezah Pizza in South End, told the council that unpermitted food vendors are operating with propane tanks and gas generators near crowds and businesses and described the activity as a public-safety hazard. Koch asked the council to ensure equal enforcement, expand a NODA pilot permitting program to South End and other areas, and direct CMPD and city enforcement to deter illegal vending.
Separately, council members and other speakers raised alarm over violent incidents involving transit riders and public shootings in Uptown and along light rail. Council Member Dimple Ajmera (at-large) asked the city manager for immediate steps to improve safety for riders and operators ahead of a transit referendum on the November ballot. Council Member Matt Peacock (District 6) asked for data on incidents along the light rail over the past 36 months and information about suspects and enforcement actions. Council Member Victoria Watlington and others requested information about any security contracts and their terms.
City Manager Marcus Jones said staff are meeting with stakeholders and noted the city is examining pilot permitting in other neighborhoods. Manager Jones said staff will follow up with further conversations and with CMPD and CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) about enforcement and security coordination. Mr. Jones also referenced prior work in NoDa and Uptown and said the city will explore expanding the permitting/inspection approaches and will continue discussions with the South End business community.
Council members emphasized they want proactive rather than reactive responses and asked staff to provide data and follow-up briefings. Several council members also flagged the need for coordination with Mecklenburg County on public-health and permitting matters when county authority is implicated, such as food-safety inspections for vendors.
Speakers and council members said they want enforcement to be applied equitably and for any pilot expansion to include safety, permitting, and health inspections.
