Shut Up, Pedicabbie

Martin Vasquez, a downtown pedicab driver, appeared before the San Diego City Council on June 15 to give his side of the story regarding the impounding of his pedicab by the San Diego police.

On May 15, while traveling north on Fifth Avenue, Vasquez said that he was stopped by a police officer on motorcycle. He was then told by the officer that he was not supposed to be driving the pedicab because his permit was suspended. According to Vasquez, he informed the officer that he had received a written notice that his suspension had been lifted.

“He told me to pull it over because he was going to impound the pedicab for not having a valid decal,” said Vasquez. Despite telling the officer his decal was valid until the end of June 2010, Vasquez stated that his argument was met with “indifference.” Vasquez said he was then informed that his pedicab would be impounded no matter what he said. It was indicated by the policeman that they would impound his pedicab and figure it out later.

Vasquez said the police officer ignored his plea to check the municipal code on pedicab impounding and disregarded his concern for having to pay the impound fees.

“As is the custom of the San Diego Police Department, I was told to shut up,” Vasquez added.