South Los Angeles launches a comprehensive initiative to combat minor sex trafficking along the notorious Figueroa Corridor.
At a Glance
- Federal, city, and county officials have united to form the Figueroa Corridor Human Trafficking Initiative.
- The initiative targets sex traffickers exploiting girls as young as 11 years old.
- Law enforcement has rescued 84 minors from the area in the last six months.
- Recent legislative efforts aim to strengthen prosecution and victim protection.
A Crisis on Figueroa Street
A 3.5-mile stretch of Figueroa Street in South Los Angeles has become ground zero for a human trafficking crisis that’s drawing the attention of law enforcement and community leaders. The area, known as the Figueroa Corridor, has been plagued by the exploitation of minors, some as young as 11 years old, forced into commercial sex work.
The situation has become so dire that U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada described the area as an “outdoor bordello” at night, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. In response, federal, Los Angeles city, and county officials have launched the Figueroa Corridor Human Trafficking Initiative to combat this issue head-on.
A Coordinated Response
The initiative brings together various law enforcement agencies and community partners to identify, arrest, and prosecute traffickers while providing support to victims. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Dominic Choi reported a significant impact, with 84 minors rescued from the area in just six months.
“This is a humanitarian crisis,” Choi said. “We need to rescue more and more victims. Our women, youth, and communities deserve better.”
Mayor Karen Bass has praised the initiative’s success, emphasizing the importance of recognizing these young girls as victims rather than criminals. The effort has already led to several high-profile arrests and convictions, including that of Donavin Dwayne Brandford, who is now serving a life sentence for recruiting teenage girls from group homes for prostitution.
Legislative Action and Community Impact
In addition to law enforcement efforts, lawmakers are taking steps to strengthen the legal framework for combating child sex trafficking. Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) has introduced AB 2419, a bill aimed at expanding search warrant parameters in child prostitution cases and lowering the evidence threshold needed to issue search warrants in suspected child trafficking cases.
“We know that sex trafficking exists and our children are being forced into prostitution. We also know that many of the criminals behind these acts come to South Los Angeles from other places,” said Gipson. “That is why it is imperative that the state of California use tools to find them, to stop them in their tracks and protect our babies who are being exploited.”
The combined efforts of law enforcement and legislative action are showing promising results. Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto reported significant decreases in crime in the area, with homicides down 62% year-over-year, property crime down 10%, and physical assaults on the streets down 6.5%.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. Some local officials have criticized a 2022 California law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom that decriminalized “loitering with the intent to commit prostitution.” Critics argue this has made it more difficult to intervene in potential trafficking situations.
However, a new bill to strengthen penalties for buyers of child prostitution has passed the legislature and awaits Governor Newsom’s approval, signaling a continued commitment to addressing this issue at the state level.
A Community United
The fight against minor sex trafficking in South Los Angeles is far from over, but the coordinated efforts of law enforcement, legislators, and community groups are making a tangible difference. By targeting trafficking networks, promoting public education, and offering essential aid and protection to vulnerable youth, these initiatives are working towards creating a safer environment for all residents of the Figueroa Corridor and beyond.
As the community continues to grapple with this complex issue, the message from officials and advocates is clear: the exploitation of children will not be tolerated, and every effort will be made to bring traffickers to justice and support survivors in their recovery.
