Crime & Safety

LAPD Vows to Wipe Out Prostitution Problem on Lankershim

In 2011, police made 164 arrests for prostitution-related charges in the area, making it one of the focal points for prostitution in San Fernando Valley.

At a press conference along Lankershim Boulevard in Sun Valley, community leaders and Los Angeles Police Department officials vowed to permanently wipe out prostitution in the area, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

Street walkers and pimps working Lankershim has been a long-term problem, both in Sun Valley and in North Hollywood, but the problem has been particularly focused in Sun Valley along Lankershim between the 5 Freeway and San Fernando Road. In 2011, police made 164 arrests for prostitution-related charges in the area, making it one of the focal points for prostitution in San Fernando Valley.

The LAPD has enacted several undercover sting operations aimed at johns recently, including a on March 7 that resulted in a reported 26 arrests, according to City News Service. (The Daily News initially reported there were 16 arrests, then 34, so it is unclear how many were arrested.) Another sting operation in February resulted in multiple arrests, including a driving a government truck.

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At the press conference, the LAPD announced plans for a once-a-month community night walk, as well as more sting operations and more street lights to help crack down on the problem, according to the Daily News.

"The problem hasn't abated to our satisfaction and not to the satisfaction of the community," said LAPD Foothilll Division Capt. Joseph Heller, according to the Daily News. The Foothill Division patrols most of Sun Valley, as well as the North Hollywood area north of Saticoy Street east of the 170 Freeway.

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