LOS ANGELES, January 30, 2026 — A coordinated crackdown on sex trafficking and related crime is underway along a stretch of Western Avenue in Los Angeles, responding to escalating community concerns and documented law enforcement data.
Targeting Trafficking Hotspot: A Multi-Agency Response
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Officials are focusing on a corridor between Olympic and Santa Monica boulevards, aiming to disrupt operations and support victims.
- The initiative targets a corridor spanning Larchmont, Koreatown, and Melrose Hill.
- Residents have reported witnessing public sex acts and finding discarded evidence.
- The effort involves law enforcement, prosecutors, social services, and community groups.
- A key focus is shifting accountability toward buyers and traffickers, rather than those being exploited.
What exactly is driving this new initiative? Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, alongside the Los Angeles Police Department and the nonprofit Journey Out, announced the program Tuesday, citing years of identified illegal activity in the area. The corridor between Olympic and Santa Monica boulevards has long been known as a hotspot for the trafficking of women and minors.
Community Concerns Fuel Action
The program’s development followed repeated complaints from residents regarding prostitution, trafficking, and public safety issues. Locals have described witnessing sex acts in public and discovering discarded contraceptives on nearby streets, particularly in the Larchmont neighborhood, as reported in local media. Authorities confirmed the area’s long-standing reputation for illicit activity.
Officials emphasized the collaborative nature of the effort, bringing together law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, social service providers, and community partners to enhance coordination and victim assistance. The launch coincided with National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
Seeking Help and Reporting
Authorities are urging victims and witnesses to seek assistance through the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which provides confidential, live support 24/7 in over 200 languages. The hotline can be reached at 888-373-7888 or by text at 233733.
Q&A: What is the primary goal of this new initiative? The primary goal is to disrupt sex trafficking operations along Western Avenue, provide comprehensive support to victims, and pursue criminal charges against those who profit from exploitation, shifting focus away from the exploited individuals.
