"City leaders say they want to refocus law enforcement's efforts away from punishing the young women and girls being exploited along The Blade that stretch along International Boulevard made infamous for the numerous killings, robberies and drug deals accompanying the region's sex trade and toward the people who have profited the most from that prostitution. At the same time, the law aims to funnel more money toward the women seeking an escape from the streets."
"At an early February meeting, Wang decried the city's sex trade as exploiting some of our young people who have suffered some of the most horrific abuses. She said families are fed up with this problem in East Oakland, particularly given how pimps have been seen trying to recruit children going to school near The Blade, while convenience stores in the area now sell lingerie in a nod to the local sex trade."
Oakland City Council approved an ordinance increasing fines and penalties for people caught buying sex while targeting traffickers and property owners who enable the trade. The law shifts law enforcement focus away from punishing young women and girls exploited along The Blade toward those profiting from prostitution. The ordinance also directs more funding and resources to help women seeking to escape street exploitation. Councilmember Charlene Wang said the fines provide faster, more certain accountability than relying solely on the criminal justice system. Residents report pimps recruiting children near The Blade and nearby stores selling lingerie tied to the sex trade. Violence has escalated along the stretch, including a fatal ambush at a late-night lingerie store.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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