Pierce County considers crackdown on unpermitted food vendors

Pierce County considers crackdown on unpermitted food vendors Pierce County is considering a proposal to restrict where and when unpermitted food vendors can operate, citing concerns about public health and fairness. Pierce County is considering a crackdown on unpermitted food vendors. The proposal, which would restrict where and when unpermitted vendors can operate, has been endorsed by KIRO hosts Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin. Pierce County Vendor Crackdown DetailsThey said the proposal protects public health and the businesses that follow the rules. According to Pierce County Councilmember Dave Morell, vendors without health permits can sell potentially unsafe food and undercut businesses that follow the rules. The proposal would ban them from public streets and sidewalks and prohibit them from operating between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. It would also let the Pierce County Sheriff's Office enforce the rules and impound equipment.Owners could face a gross misdemeanor, up to $5,000 in penalties and as much as 364 days in jail. Ursula asked whether the proposal is about public health and fairness or goes too far. Gee said it goes as far as it should. He admires people who work hard to build a business, but argued that unpermitted vendors shouldn't get to skip the requirements brick-and-mortar businesses must meet.Ursula agreed with Gee, acknowledging concerns that some vendors may be targeted unfairly and said the rules should be enforced evenly. Gee said that letting unpermitted vendors operate without consequences could weaken other owners' motivation to follow the rules. Pierce County is considering a crackdown on unpermitted food vendors, and KIRO hosts Gee and Ursula said the proposal protects public health.