Inglewood Code Enforcement Officers were filmed harassing a member of a Girl Scout Troop for selling cookies near SoFi Stadium on March 4.
The Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles returned to Inglewood in April 2019 after moving out of their previous location in Centinela Park decades ago. Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. consistently points to their return as a huge component of the City’s “renaissance”.
Because of Butts’ continued lauding of the partnership between the Girl Scouts and Inglewood, it was disheartening to learn the city’s code enforcement department took harsh steps to shut down a local girl scout who is taking part in the organization’s signature fundraiser selling their delicious cookies.
The City’s Permits & Licenses Committee issued the Girls Scouts a citywide permit to sell cookies between Jan. 29, 2023, through April 30, 2023, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The permit was issued on Jan. 26, 2023.
Code Enforcement berated the child and her parent who were selling cookies in front of their home on March 4. The officer stated it was their “second time” coming to their home to stop them.
The Inglewood Municipal Code does not prohibit Girl Scouts from selling in front of their home. It is unknown if the City places such a restriction on the permit because the City Clerk’s office refuses to upload meeting minutes to the city’s website which would detail what restrictions were set by the committee.
This weekend was the Rolling Loud 2023 concert held at Hollywood Park adjacent to SoFi Stadium. It is not uncommon for either the Forum or Hollywood Park to pay for additional code enforcement officers during certain special events. Mayor Butts was observed attending the Rolling Loud concert with his new executive assistant.
Calls to Code Enforcement Manager Jerry Tucker went unanswered to ascertain why his staff doesn’t know the rules for the organization’s annual fundraiser.
The area is represented by District 1 Councilman George Dotson according to the most recent maps approved by the city council in March 2022.
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist for 2UrbanGirls.com and contributing writer for the Los Angeles Wave newspaper.
3 Comments
Hmm. Let’s think about this shall we ?
Thousands have flocked into our community disregarding traffic laws, violating parking restrictions, and the “musicians” violate common Courtesy sensitivity which “apply to everyone else” noise restrictions, fans cross on foot against red lights and in light of all this our tax paid employees aka code enforcement officers decide to make shutting down a Girl Scout Cookie Table a priority? Now that sounds a bit upside down doesn’t it?
Oh wait this is Inglewood I forgot per the Jimmie Laws Residents don’t have rights do they ? Didn’t JTB tell us the street in front of our house is not our personal parking lot.? So even though this Girl Scout did not keep fans from walking to the rap event -aka the sidewalk was not blocked (we see walking space in the photo) Code enforcement bullies decided the annual practice of fundraising for a group that teaches community service and teaches girls confidence, business skills and confidence must be stopped.
Oh wait Dah ! Finally I get it The evil Girl Scouts teache things our council can not possibly tolerate- community involvement, courage to do right, and oh yes confidence that even a girl can support herself without compromising her values..No wonder this 10 year old is a threat. She represents so many good things!
Of course there is that other possibility…
JTB didn’t get his photo op /campaign contribution.from the troop he took credit for founding !
Guessing these 2 officers never earned their community service badges!
I had no idea the Girl Scouts first home was where City Hall was. Damn eminent domain.
People sell water, alcohol and hot link sandwiches inside and all around SoFi and code enforcement is nowhere in sight. I almost think there’s a racial implication with enforcement sometimes