Salinas to approve letter of support for bill cracking down on sex work

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) -- A new California assembly bill will crack down on sex work and human trafficking with the City of Salinas looking to send a letter of support.

This new bill, AB 63, introduced by Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez, would give law enforcement the green light to more effectively address sex trafficking and sex work in the community.

Several families living along Kern Street in Salinas, an area where several have reported seeing sex work, are worried about the activity happening just a few feet from where they live.

“More than anything is that, there are families, there are children," says Isreal Rodriguez, who lives near Kern Street.

The family that lives a block away from Kern Street told KION they have encountered many issues.

"There is also a lot of traffic at night from cars, these are parked on the sidewalks and sometimes do not let them enter the parking lots. There have also been fights, fights, graffiti, garbage," said Rodriguez.

On Tuesday, the city of Salinas will discuss approving a letter of support for Assembly Bill 63.

This would reinstate language into the California penal code prohibiting loitering in public with the intent to commit prostitution.

"There's some parts of our city where naked naked folks are walking around and affecting children and households and businesses. This will allow law enforcement a tool to not only address prostitution but support those that may be subjects of human trafficking," Salinas Councilmember Andrew Sandoval said.

It would also provide a mechanism for police to approach potential human trafficking victims and offer resources.

For now, Sandoval says that more police are patrolling the area.

"There's been a bigger police presence. And for the first time recently, we've had residents come to city council and tell us that they're noticing a reduction in prostitution and the activity there," said Sandoval.

The bill would also make the crime a misdemeanor.