A video showing a chaotic confrontation between a Santa Rosa flower vendor and a panhandler has gone viral, sparking intense public scrutiny over the incident and the police response.
The November 26th video, which has been viewed millions of times, shows a white man dumping a Mexican immigrant vendor’s bouquets into a creek along Sonoma Highway, claiming the corner as “his spot.” The incident escalated when bystanders intervened, leading to a brief physical altercation with the panhandler.
According to the Press Democrat, the vendor, Karla Luna, and her 11-year-old son, who was present, were left shaken and lost nearly a day’s earnings.
Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan stated the department and an independent auditor have launched a review of the officers’ actions following the public backlash.
The incident has highlighted growing concerns about the safety of street vendors and perceived hostility toward Latino workers in the community.