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Street inspectors and union representatives tell supervisors vendor-enforcement assignment threatens employee safety
Summary
Multiple Department of Public Works inspectors and union representatives told the Board of Supervisors during general public comment that mandatory street-vendor enforcement exposes inspectors to threats, assaults and untrained responsibilities; they urged the board and Public Works to pursue alternative approaches and safety protections.
Dozens of public commenters — many of them Department of Public Works street inspectors and union representatives — told the Board of Supervisors during general public comment that a city policy assigning street-vendor enforcement to DPW inspectors has created significant safety and morale problems.
At least six inspectors and union leaders described repeated verbal abuse, physical threats, weapons brandishing, and at least one assault while conducting vendor-enforcement shifts. Speakers said inspectors were being required to enforce vendor permitting and impound stolen merchandise despite lacking training, sustained police backup or clear processes for investigation and follow-up.
Why it matters: Multiple…
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