Watch CBS News

Oakland Food Truck Vendors Say They're Being 'Terrorized'

OAKLAND (KCBS) — Some food truck vendors in Oakland have said recent violence has made them feel "terrorized" by criminals. The vendors are getting some help, but it's not from the city.

Early Thursday morning, the owner of El Mazatlan taco truck exchanged gunfire with two potential robbers. No one was killed, but the suspects were later arrested.

This follows a tragic incident in December when a 5-year-old boy helping his father at the family's taco truck in east Oakland was shot and killed by stray gunfire.

KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:

Shelly Garza of the Association of Mobile Vendors said vendor robberies are common and they have become easy targets. Her members have been talking about the increasing violence on the streets for at least two years now.

"They are feeling terrorized. As an association we are going to stand up and say we're going to do everything possible to stop this nonsense," said Garza.

Her association represents about 120 food truck and push cart vendors. Garza said she doesn't condone combating violence with violence.

"We're going to make sure we're going to have cameras, we're going to make sure that we talk about maybe some security. Were going to make sure that the city knows that were not going to allow ourselves to be victimized," she added.

Garza is now in the process of convening an emergency meeting of association members to discuss safety tactics.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.