Residents, law enforcement, and advocacy groups are demanding action as a major Los Angeles human trafficking crackdown targets long-standing exploitation corridors and strengthens survivor support.
One of the most iconic images associated with Los Angeles is that of a prostitute.
She is not a real person—though she could be. She is Vivian, the character portrayed by Julia Roberts in the iconic film Pretty Woman. In the movie, millions of viewers around the world fall in love with a modern fairy tale in which Vivian finds her prince charming, played by Richard Gere.
But the reality of Los Angeles is far more complex.
A Long-Standing Problem
Prostitution in Los Angeles dates back to the second half of the 19th century. It became a significant urban phenomenon in the 1870s and 1880s, fueled by rapid population growth following the arrival of the railroad. What had once been a small Mexican pueblo quickly transformed into a booming American border city.
Today, Los Angeles remains one of the largest hubs for human trafficking and child prostitution in the United States. Certain areas—most notably the Figueroa Corridor, often referred to as “The Blade”—have been epicenters of exploitation for decades.
And now, residents and authorities are saying: enough.
Community Frustration Boils Over
In recent community meetings near the Figueroa Corridor, parents have gathered alongside city councilmembers, police representatives, and county officials to denounce what they describe as an intolerable situation. Residents report not only open solicitation but sexual acts occurring in plain view, steps from their homes.
The anger is palpable—and so is the pressure for action.
Record Arrests and Coordinated Enforcement
Last month, Nathan J. Hochman, District Attorney of Los Angeles County, announced record enforcement numbers.
As of early February 2026, a week-long statewide crackdown known as “Operation Reclaim and Rebuild” resulted in more than 600 arrests across California, a significant portion of them in Los Angeles County.
The 2026 figures surpass previous years (547 arrests in 2025 and 539 in 2024), a result law enforcement attributes to improved coordination and experience.
Hochman emphasized that collaboration among municipal authorities, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) is producing measurable results.
A New Strategy: Targeting Buyers and Protecting Victims
During National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Hochman outlined an expanded and innovative strategy. The approach combines:
Tougher felony charges against sex buyers (“johns”) and traffickers/pimps
Direct support services for victims and survivors through community-based organizations
Officials stress that the goal is not simply to jail women but to move them off the streets and into support systems.
Representatives from advocacy groups, the LAPD, and Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez recently attended a community meeting to address residents’ concerns. Soto-Martínez highlighted partnerships with organizations such as Journey Out, which works directly with trafficking survivors.
“I think we have a really great team right now,” he said, noting that multiple agencies are already working together.
Western Avenue Initiative
On January 27, 2026, a new initiative was launched targeting a notorious stretch of Western Avenue between Santa Monica and Olympic Boulevards, including areas of Koreatown, Larchmont, and the Wilshire Center.
This coordinated effort includes:
-The LAPD
-Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto
-District Attorney Nathan Hochman
Journey Out
The initiative aims to disrupt trafficking networks, protect survivors—especially minors—and hold traffickers and buyers accountable. It followed strong demands from residents in Larchmont and Hollywood, some of whom reported witnessing underage girls being exploited on their streets.
Legislative Gaps and Public Input
Hochman has also criticized what he describes as insufficient state laws that fail to adequately penalize sex buyers. His office launched a public survey inviting residents to propose appropriate punishments for offenders, with results to be submitted to state authorities for consideration.
Law Enforcement’s Message
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell issued a strong statement:
“Human trafficking along the Figueroa Corridor is an attack on the safety and dignity of our community. The LAPD, working closely with our local, state, federal, and community partners, has built a unified response to protect victims, reduce demand, and dismantle the networks that profit from exploitation. Our collaboration is delivering real results, and our message is clear: traffickers will be held accountable, survivors will be supported, and together we will keep the Figueroa Corridor safe.”
Major Areas of Prostitution Activity in Los Angeles
The Figueroa Corridor (“The Blade”) – A 3.5–4 mile stretch of South Figueroa Street between Gage Avenue and Imperial Highway.
“The Kiddie Stroll” – A particularly dangerous two-mile section of the Figueroa Corridor known for underage exploitation.
92nd Street to 104th Street (Figueroa) – Identified by LAPD as key hotspots.
Western Avenue – A major corridor for street-level prostitution in South Los Angeles.
Sepulveda Boulevard Corridor – A high-activity area in the San Fernando Valley.
Washington Corridor – Historically a prostitution hotspot bordering Western and Fairfax Avenues.
The Reality Behind the Myth
The Figueroa Corridor—active day and night—has often been described as an “outdoor brothel.” Federal and local task forces have identified gang involvement in trafficking operations, including the Hoover Criminal Gang. Exploitation in this area is closely tied to human trafficking, often involving minors and youth from the foster care system.
The contrast with Hollywood’s romanticized narrative could not be sharper.
Los Angeles is no fairy tale.
But in neighborhoods long defined by exploitation, residents, advocates, and authorities are attempting to rewrite the story.
HELP:
The Los Angeles-based nonprofit Journey Out fights for the freedom and survival of victims impacted by sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. For 24-hour confidential and live assistance, victims and witnesses can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888)373-7888. The hotline can also be reached by texting 233733.
