A "crisis" in East Salinas: prostitution seen in broad daylight. Neighbors say it's been prevalent for decades, but it's gotten so bad in the last year that they've reached a breaking point. We didn't have it as close, but now it's more obvious that we can see the situation throughout the whole day at whatever hour we can see the movement of people," said Marta Ortega, Center for Community Advocacy advocate. The exchanges block traffic and prostitutes even knock on family homes to offer their services.
It's an embarrassment for me as a mother not just as a mother, but as a woman for my son, to see women in this condition," says Veronica Leon, Center for Community Advocacy advocate. Families living in the area fear it is becoming normalized and is bringing other issues like drugs and crime. Neighbors feel helpless and are now calling on the city to do something about it.
After the passing of Senate Bill , also known as the Safer Streets for All Act, which was intended to protect people from discriminatory arrests and harassment based on how they dress or their profession, some say they've seen prostitution more prevalent. While the law doesn't legalize the act, police say they're limited in what they can do. At least before they can go out there give them a ticket or take them into the department or whatever that process looked like, they were able to do something before, now they can't do anything," said Orlando Osornio, Salinas City Councilmember.
On Tuesday, the city council could vote to take a step and hold private property and hotel owners accountable. If passed, it could potentially charge or fine them for being associated with prostitution on their properties.
The city council says they have to get creative to find solutions. Some other ideas mentioned were bright lights in the area, hiring security patrols, and even a designated area in the city away from residential areas. Watch on Demand.
