Unraveling Mystery: Who Controls Fifth Avenue Street Vendor Permits?

The issue of who is authorizing permits for street vendors on Fifth Avenue remains unresolved, despite ongoing complaints from established businesses in the area. Ruvicel López Pérez, second councilman and head of the Industry, Commerce, and Agricultural Promotion Committee, has expressed frustration with the lack of clarity.

Despite numerous attempts to meet with municipal treasurer, Kira Iris San, to discuss the nature of these permits and who is granting them, Pérez claims he has received nothing but evasion. "I approached the treasurer several times and was only given delays and vague answers, we never reached any conclusion," he said.

Pérez explained that the Commerce Department lacks the authority to issue and charge for street vendor permits. This lack of control, he suggests, opens the door for potential corruption among tax inspectors.

He clarified that it is the Treasury Department who charges for these permits, leaving the Commerce Department powerless. "Everything refers to the Treasury. When they come to regularize a permit, it cannot be done because they have all the control," he added.

Pérez stated that the goal of regulating public commerce was to provide income opportunities for the elderly, single mothers, and those with disabilities, while ensuring permit fees were appropriately directed to municipal coffers. "If a person does not have a permit, they are unprotected and corruption begins," he warned.

Despite the committee proposing an initiative for permit charges to be based on the vendor's location, progress on this issue has stalled. Pérez believes this will be a task for the incoming administration to tackle.

He emphasized that the next government will need strong political will and better coordination to effectively regulate public street commerce.