Security Services for Unpermitted Sidewalk Vending

The City of Lake Forest (City) is seeking proposals from qualified firms or individuals to provide unarmed security services to support the City’s Code Enforcement Division in deterring unpermitted sidewalk vending. These services aim to address the growing issue of unpermitted sidewalk vendors, including illegal street food vendors. Such vendors often operate without required permits, using public sidewalks and equipment such as cooking grills, propane tanks, canopies, and raw or cooked food items that create public health, safety, and compliance challenges. Security personnel will play a critical role in ensuring the safety of enforcement teams, contract haulers, vendors, and patrons while maintaining order during enforcement operations and deterring illegal activities.

The City’s Code Enforcement team, in collaboration with the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) and other partners, enforces the Lake Forest Municipal Code (LFMC) and Health Code. Enforcement efforts include educating vendors on obtaining permits when possible and confiscating unpermitted equipment and food when necessary.

To enhance these efforts, the City requires unarmed security services to assist during enforcement actions and impoundment operations. These services are critical to ensuring the safety of enforcement staff, vendors, and patrons while maintaining order, as enforcement sites often attract public crowds.

These services are essential to maintaining public safety, upholding municipal regulations, and ensuring an orderly public environment. Proposals are invited from firms or individuals who demonstrate professionalism, sensitivity, and the ability to support these critical tasks effectively.

Code Enforcement plays a vital role in a city’s mission to enhance, protect, and sustain the qualities that its residents and businesses value most. The City of Lake Forest’s Code Enforcement Division is responsible for maintaining and improving the community’s character, visual appeal, and property values by addressing violations of the Lake Forest Municipal Code (LFMC). The division works to enhance both residential and commercial areas by enforcing regulations related to public nuisances, property maintenance, zoning, construction, health, safety, and signage.

The Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (Senate Bill 946), enacted in 2018, is a California law that decriminalized street vending, permitting it under specific conditions. The City has implemented regulations addressing objective health, safety, and welfare concerns, as allowed under the Act. For all food vending operations, vendors must first obtain a permit from the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). However, hot food street vendors often fail to meet essential health and safety standards, such as maintaining proper food temperatures, providing handwashing facilities, sanitizing utensils and equipment, and disposing of waste liquids.

When violations occur, the Code Enforcement team takes an educational approach to assist residents and business owners in promptly resolving issues and preventing future infractions. Despite these efforts, some violations persist. If individuals fail to acknowledge the violation or take corrective action in a timely manner, the team utilizes escalating enforcement measures. Recent unauthorized street food vending activities in the City have necessitated the confiscation of large or bulky equipment, which is subsequently transported and impounded by the City.