Residents report threats to property and rising street vending; council asks staff for follow-up

A Baldwin Park resident told the City Council that two individuals approached her family’s warehouse and claimed the city had a permit to demolish the property on the coming Monday holiday; she said city planning staff later told the family there was no such permit. The resident asked the city for assistance and guidance to protect her family’s property and safety.

“Two individuals came up to our property ... and they said that the city had a permit to demolish our property this Monday,” resident Sarah Wu said, and later told the council she contacted the police and planning department and was advised there was no such permit.

Mayor Avila asked the chief of police to follow up; councilmembers asked staff to create an administrative option or scripted response so residents who call during weekends or off-hours receive a clearer, more comforting immediate response and know what to expect before normal business hours.

Separately during public comment, resident John Rios said vendors had set up near private properties and city lots since the windstorm, creating safety, sanitation and enforcement concerns. “They come out like cockroaches,” Rios said, describing vendors selling food and other goods at various corners. Councilmembers thanked residents for reporting incidents and asked Police and Code Enforcement to strengthen weekend enforcement and provide phone numbers residents can use for rapid response.

Council did not take a formal vote on either matter but directed staff and police to reach out to the family who reported the demolition threat and to review weekend enforcement and public-safety response procedures for vendor complaints.