After reading the article in the Richmond Free Press entitled “Blowback,” I thank all the officials who have worked diligently to require vape shop owners to be responsible business owners in communities that are often low-income communities of color.

Requiring vape shop owners to meet all requirements established for businesses is commendable. I totally disagree with Diffaa Saleh’s comments citing the impact of enforcement on communities of color. It is the lack of enforcement and businesses like vape shops that has traditionally plagued the most vulnerable communities and contributes to crime and violence in our city. It is not the vape shop business owners who are vulnerable and historically marginalized. They do not get to be the offender and at the same time determine the consequences of their offense. 

Vape shops have bombarded the City of Richmond. Operation Vaporize inspected 30 vape stores and 60% were closed as a result of code violations, safety issues, illegal activity, firearms and illicit drug products. This is unacceptable in the City of Richmond, and they need to remain closed until all building and code violations are met. 

Again, I thank all the multiagency collaborators who worked together to demand better for the citizens of Richmond. I applaud the efforts to change the standard that was once an accepted practice of business owners in low-income communities of not being responsible or accountable to the patrons they serve. 

CHARLENE EDWARDS 

Richmond