The 'Permit Patty' meme surfaced in June 2018 after a video went viral showing Alison Ettel appearing to call the police on an eight-year-old girl selling water bottles without a permit. The internet quickly dubbed her 'Permit Patty,' turning the image of her hiding behind a wall while on the phone into a symbol of overzealous and racially charged neighborhood surveillance. It is commonly used to mock 'Karens' or anyone who feels the need to report harmless, everyday activities to the authorities. The meme remains a primary staple for social commentary on busybodies and the absurdity of gatekeeping public spaces for minor infractions.