California Senate Democrats stick by law that allows open prostitution

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - Last month, in a sting operation called “Operation Better Pathways” with the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, 16 human trafficking victims were identified including 8 children. The operation’s coalition of federal, state and local law enforcement targeting areas known for sexual exploitation in San Diego and National City revealed the impact SB357 was having on identifying victims of human trafficking. San Diego’s District Attorney Summer Stephan, who went to the locations being investigated, noted, “Young women being openly trafficked in broad daylight, with individuals paying for sex lined up like they were going through a fast-food drivethrough. It’s an unacceptable situation.”

Altogether 48 suspects were taken into custody. In an attempt to repeal Senate Bill 357, which decriminalized loitering in a public place with the intent to commit prostitution, California Minority Leader Brian Jones (R) brought an amendment to the floor, knowing that Senator Mike McGuire (D) would bring a motion to lay the amendment on the table – in other words, to scuttle it.

“If history is any guide, as I think has already been communicated, the majority leader is going to ask to lay this motion on the table.”

“A yes vote on laying these amendments on the table means letting a bad law stay on the books that isn’t working as intended, and in fact is allowing more women and young girls being sex trafficked. It means less arrests of pimps (who) are sex trafficking and