LOS ANGELES -- A court injunction against 36 prostitutes and five pimps is expected to reduce crime in the Figueroa Corridor -- described as the city's epicenter of prostitution, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office announced Monday.
The injunction prevents the 41 individuals from entering the Figueroa Corridor, defined as 100 yards on each side of Figueroa Street between Vernon Avenue and El Segundo Boulevard in South Los Angeles. The pimps also must report their vehicle and housing information to the Los Angeles Police Department.
According to the City Attorney's Office, the 36 women have been convicted of engaging in prostitution near the area. Four of the five pimps are affiliated with the Shotgun Crips, Front Hood Crips and Denver Lane Bloods.
Violating the injunction is a misdemeanor offense.
In addition to the injunction, which was filed Friday, the city on Monday launched the Figueroa Corridor Prostitution Diversion Program, which will allow some prostitutes and men who solicit them for sex to avoid criminal charges.
"We're launching the injunction for chronic offenders and the diversion program for first-time offenders at the same time because fighting crime in the 21st century means getting smarter -- not just tougher -- with our public safety initiatives," said City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo.
Under the diversion program, which is only available to first-time offenders who have no prior convictions for drugs or violence, participants must complete an eight-hour seminar and submit to an AIDS test.
Since 2002, more than 1,000 prostitutes in the Figueroa Corridor have been arrested and prosecuted. The area generates the most street-level prostitution in the city of Los Angeles, according to Delgadillo.
The injunction prevents the 41 individuals from entering the Figueroa Corridor, defined as 100 yards on each side of Figueroa Street between Vernon Avenue and El Segundo Boulevard in South Los Angeles. The pimps also must report their vehicle and housing information to the Los Angeles Police Department.
According to the City Attorney's Office, the 36 women have been convicted of engaging in prostitution near the area. Four of the five pimps are affiliated with the Shotgun Crips, Front Hood Crips and Denver Lane Bloods.
Violating the injunction is a misdemeanor offense.
In addition to the injunction, which was filed Friday, the city on Monday launched the Figueroa Corridor Prostitution Diversion Program, which will allow some prostitutes and men who solicit them for sex to avoid criminal charges.
"We're launching the injunction for chronic offenders and the diversion program for first-time offenders at the same time because fighting crime in the 21st century means getting smarter -- not just tougher -- with our public safety initiatives," said City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo.
Under the diversion program, which is only available to first-time offenders who have no prior convictions for drugs or violence, participants must complete an eight-hour seminar and submit to an AIDS test.
Since 2002, more than 1,000 prostitutes in the Figueroa Corridor have been arrested and prosecuted. The area generates the most street-level prostitution in the city of Los Angeles, according to Delgadillo.