Inside The County

Sting Operations

SEX TRAFFICKING ‘HOT SPOTS’ TARGETED

District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert didn’t spend all her time last year prosecuting fraudulent COVID-19 unemployment claims. Her offi ce was busy on many fronts, including important work to reduce human traffi cking.

Authorities chased sex buyers and sex exploiters in operation “Hot Spots,” a countywide sting with law enforcement partners and more than 30 community organizations called Sacramento Together Against Human Traffi cking.

The efforts concentrated on areas long notorious for the sex trade, including Stockton Boulevard, Auburn Boulevard and Watt Avenue in North Highlands.

For the “Hot Spots” sting, Schubert’s offi ce created training videos for investigators. The focus was on suspect tactics and manipulations of human traffi cking victims, along with evidence collection for prosecutions. Street and hotel operations were aimed at sex buyers. Fake decoy prostitution ads were posted.

The phony ads generated 261 responses. This month court dates will be held for 22 citations issued for soliciting prostitution. There was also a charge for pandering and the human traffi cking of a minor.

“We are committed to continuing sting operations through the Sacramento Together coalition to target sex traffi ckers and buyers as well as maximize our efforts to protect and serve victims of sexual exploitation,” Schubert says.

Another joint operation was “Sleepwalker,” a large effort involving local law enforcement. Undercover offi cers purchased more than 100 fi rearms from people illegally dealing weapons, with 26 arrests. Much of the money from stolen unemployment benefi ts ended up in the illicit gun trade.

“The infl ux of billions of dollars in EDD fraud into the hands of criminals resulted in a drastic increase in the number of illegal fi rearms and fi rearmrelated violence in our communities,” Schubert says.

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By Howard Schmidt Inside The County

VOLUNTEER FOR A BOARD OR COMMISSION

If you want to have a say in what happens in Sacramento County, consider serving on one of the commissions and advisory boards that provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. These groups deal with land use, social welfare, public health and much more.

Residents of the unincorporated area can serve on Community Planning Advisory Councils for specifi c neighborhoods, including Arden-Arcade, Carmichael and Fair Oaks. These councils make land-use recommendations. There are 14 local advisory councils in the unincorporated county.

Planning Advisory Councils can weigh in on controversial issues, such as rezoning, approving liquor licenses and allowing the creation of subdivisions. Depending on the topic, meetings can have packed audiences and plenty of heated discussion.

Prior to being elected, Supervisor Rich Desmond served on the Carmichael/Old Foothill Farms Community Planning Advisory Council.

All county residents regardless of location can be appointed to public policy advisory bodies dealing with issues such as behavioral health, status of women and girls, aging, employment, equal opportunity and public health.

Usually, seats are available for the general public, but some appointments may require specifi c expertise. There are nearly 40 subject-area advisory bodies, including a County Bicycle Advisory Committee and an advisory panel for the American River Parkway.

Many people believe such appointments require political infl uence or social standing. That’s not true. Openings are published each month. The process requires fi ling an online application, typically followed by an interview with county staff.

Available appointments can be viewed on the Clerk of the Board’s webpage at sccob.saccounty.gov.

Howard Schmidt worked on federal, state and local levels of government, including 16 years for Sacramento County. He can be reached at howardschmidt218@aol.com. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @ insidesacramento. n