By Jorge Casuso

March 24, 2025 -- Santa Monica police and code enforcers cracked down on illegal vendors and performers, as well as dog owners around the pier, early this month.

Between March 1 and March 8, code enforcement made 106 "contacts/advisals," gave 67 verbal warnings and issued 6 citations for violations across the City, police officials reported.

Some of the most notable incidents took place around the pier, where 44 dog owners were advised for "unpermitted and unleashed dogs" on the beach, according to the weekly Police Department blog "The Blue Notebook."

During all the enforcement actions conducted with SMPD's Directed Action Response Team (DART) unlawful pier vendors were present selling everything from balloons and flowers to churros and bracelets, according to the blog.

A verbal warning was also given to an unpermitted photographer for operating without a business license.

Pier performers, LA Breakers, could have their permit revoked after a performer with a soccer ball was cited for "jumping over audience members, in the course of their performance."

Another performer was issued a verbal warning for failing to attend the lottery that determines the space they can occupy and performing outside of the space.

Over the past six years, Pier vendors have posed a problem for code enforcers and public safety officers, prompting the City Council to take repeated actions ("Council Revisits 'Out-Of-Control' Illegal Pier Vendors," December 10, 2021).

Citations were also issued at other locations across the city, including an unpermitted vendor outside of the Saint Anne Catholic School at 1527 20th Street parking lot who was issued a verbal warning.

Another sidewalk vendor selling fruit salad was cited twice -- for vending within 50-feet from an athletic field and vending while the park concessionary stand was in operation.

The persistent problems arose after the City Council in April 2019 updated its 30-year-old vending program to comply with the 2018 Safe Sidewalk Vending Act signed into law by former Governor Jerry Brown.

The law decriminalizes street vending in public spaces to boost economic opportunities for immigrant and low-income communities ("Santa Monica City Council Paves Way for New Sidewalk Vending Program," April 11, 2019).