Salinas approves letter of support for sex worker crackdown bill

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The city of Salinas voted unanimously to send a letter of support to the state capitol, in support of Assembly Bill 63, which could crack down on sex work across California.

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

Salinas police say that under the current law, their hands are tied when it comes to enforcing the ban on soliciting prostitution, reiterating their support for the assembly bill at Tuesday night's meeting, while still doing all they can for areas like Kern Street that are forced to deal with the industry.

Police say they have been using a city ordinance against sex workers that is only an infraction, with a misdemeanor possible with 3 violations within 6 months.

They have also been working with local businesses to have proper signage for human trafficking and trespassing, as well as increasing patrols in the area and encouraging people living there to set up more cameras.