COLA Condemns Police’s Curfew for Late Night Vendors

Shawn Saldano

The reinvigorated Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action, COLA, has jumped on the matter. The grassroots organization has been monitoring the situation and according to President Shawn Saldano, the only persons negatively affected by the department’s decision were the vendors. He says that the department’s choice to impose a curfew not only stifled the vendors but also limited their economic progress.

Shawn Saldano, President, COLA

“Shutting down the vendors is still not solving the problem because if you shut down the south side vendors at twelve o’clock what makes you think that they will not go to the north side vendors at two o’clock in the morning and still commit those same perpetrators. I think we have to focus on the bigger picture. There are no job opportunities. There are no economic opportunities. There are no social outlets. We cannot continue to put the band aid remedy over serious societal flaws that continue to hurt us. And I repeat, allowing the vendors to close down will not solve crime and violence. I do see the logic that puts the people in a vulnerable position. But I am also aware that a lot of time when I go there especially in the wee hours in the morning there are a lot of police officers out there, purchasing from the vendors. Queen Street police station is right up the street from the bridge. At this point we are asking and begging the Police Department to be very mindful of this situation and not limit these people’s economic opportunities.”