Las Vegas police officer draws Taser in altercation with street vendor near Strip
By: Body camera footage from a Las Vegas Metropolitan police officer shows him involved in an altercation with a street vendor near the Welcome to Las Vegas sign last weekend.
LVMPD addressed the incident and included a portion of the officer’s video, which includes some adult language, in a social media post on Aug. 7.
In a series of three posts, the department explained that the officer had spoken to the vendor the day before to remind him that operating without a license is illegal. A new bill broadening legalization for Las Vegas street vendors has not yet gone into effect.
The vendor is seen pushing the officer and knocking him to the ground on the video, leading to the officer drawing his Taser. Police said the vendor in the video was arrested, but no other information was available.
Police social media posts added that the department “will work with the sponsors of SB92 to engage the community to educate everyone on how this new law will be implemented.”
Clark County issued a statement about the legal status of street vendors:
"While the legislation has indeed been signed by the Governor, it’s crucial to note that street vendors are currently not legally permitted to operate within Clark County. SB92 requires us to set up a process to become licensed, but first the County must pass an ordinance to create the path to licensure. There is no path to licensure today. We will be bringing information to the public in the months ahead.
Over the next year, Clark County is committed to working diligently to establish the necessary licensing and regulations to support street vendors. This process will be carried out in close collaboration with the health district and the state authorities to ensure that these businesses can thrive in a safe and responsible manner."
-Clark County spokesperson, August 7
“We don’t want to see any form of confrontation with law enforcement or any other member of the community,” stated Alyssa Cortes, Communications Director of Make the Road Nevada, in an interview with FOX5. Make the Road Nevada, a non-profit advocating for immigrant communities, helped get Senate Bill 92 signed into law. “These barriers around street food vending is what inspired Make the Road Nevada to work with local authorities to make sure that there is a process for street food vendors to become legitimatized small businesses,” Cortes explained.
The new law passed this legislative session will require jurisdictions to come out with a permitting process for street food vendors, giving them a path to operate legally. Right now, during the implementation process it is still illegal, but some vendors cannot wait still setting up and selling as they need to make a living. “Make the Road Nevada along with key local authorities and community leaders are coming together, putting of heads together in terms of what makes the most sense to protect our street food vendors,” Cortes shared about the interim.
Portions SB92 will go into effect October 15. Make the Road says it is their goal to make sure vendors are informed when licenses do become available and how to apply.
vending is what inspired Make the Road Nevada to work with local authorities to make sure that there is a process for street vendors to become legitimatized small businesses,” Cortes explained.
The new law passed this legislative session will require jurisdictions to come out with a permitting process for street vendors, giving them a path to operate legally. Right now, during the implementation process it is still illegal, but some vendors cannot wait still setting up and selling as they need to make a living. “Make the Road Nevada along with key local authorities and community leaders are coming together, putting of heads together in terms of what makes the most sense to protect our street vendors,” Cortes shared about the interim.
Portions SB92 will go into effect October 15. Make the Road says it is their goal to make sure vendors are informed when licenses do become available and how to apply.