People complained about this boy's hot dog stand - but instead of shutting it down, this city supported it

It's hard to ignore the fact that there have been a string of stories recently, where white people have called the police on black youngsters for actually trying to do helpful things for the community. This one, however, bucks the trend with a positive outcome.

Since 2016, 13-year-old Jaequan Faulkner of north Minneapolis had been running 'Mr. Faulkner’s Old-Fashioned Hot Dogs' to raise money for new clothes.

However, two weeks ago, someone in the city reported him to the Minneapolis Environmental Health Department, because they thought that he didn't have a legal licence.

This could have been the latest in a string of stories where white people have called the police on black children with an entrepreneurial spirit, crushing their dreams.

Last month, a woman nicknamed 'Permit Patty' allegedly called the police on a little girl who was selling bottles of water to fund a trip to Disneyland; and earlier this month, a woman called the police on a 12-year-old boy who was running his own lawn-mowing business.

However, instead of just shutting him down, Minneapolis Environmental Health Director Dan Huff decided that they could turn a negative into a positive, and help him become a legit vendor.

Speaking to CNN, he said:

When I realised what it was, I said, 'No, we're not going to just go and shut him down' like we would an unlicensed vendor.

We can help him get the permit. Let's make this a positive thing and help him become a business owner.

The health department issued Faulkner with the correct permit, and also trained him up with the correct health and safety knowledge including how to measure the temperature of hotdogs, and installing a hand-washing station.

The city's department of health also contacted local entrepreneur support network Northside Economic Opportunity Network, or NEON, which aims to provide guidance to unsupported entrepreneurs in the community. Staff with the health department also helped to pay for his permit, which cost $87, reports Global News.

Faulkner now has his very own Facebook page for his business, and has started to sketch together a business plan for the future.

When asked why he loves his work, he told CNN that it's because he gets the opportunity to spread happiness and smiles:

It's the cooking and the people.

I see someone go by with a frown on their face. I'm there with a smile, then I see a smile on their face. I just made a smile on somebody's face by selling them a hot dog. 

Take that, Pemit Patty, Pool Patrol Paula, ID Adam.... the list could go on. Instead of calling the police on children trying to do their best and help the community, why not support them and foster growth instead?

HT CNN

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