A video depicting a man dumping flower bouquets from a vendor into a creek along Sonoma Highway in Santa Rosa, California, has garnered over 3 million views online. The incident occurred on November 26, 2025, involving Karla Luna, a flower vendor, her 11-year-old son, and a panhandler claiming the space as “his spot.”
The confrontation escalated when the panhandler began shouting at Luna. In the video recorded by Luna, the man is seen tossing flowers into traffic and subsequently hurling them into the creek. Bystanders intervened, and tensions rose until Santa Rosa police arrived at the scene. Officers spoke with both Luna and the panhandler, registering complaints but no formal charges were filed by either party.
Criticism arose regarding the police response, particularly after an officer questioned Luna about the safety of having her child present in a busy area. This triggered public outrage over how law enforcement handled the situation, prompting Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan to announce that a review of the officers’ actions would take place, including an evaluation of policy adherence.
Luna, who relies on flower sales for income, expressed feeling increasingly unsafe as hostility toward vendors, particularly among immigrant and Latino communities, appears to be on the rise.
- Why it matters:
- This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns for street vendors and potential biases in police interactions with marginalized communities.
- Increased visibility of hostility against immigrant workers may impact local businesses and community relations.
- The latest:
- Santa Rosa Police have initiated a review of the officers’ actions in response to public criticism regarding their handling of the incident.
Source: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2025/12/04/viral-video-of-man-dumping-flower-vendors-bouquets-into-santa-rosa-creek-sparks-outrage/
Source: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2025/12/04/viral-video-of-man-dumping-flower-vendors-bouquets-into-santa-rosa-creek-sparks-outrage/