Whose streets?

World Magazine ^ | SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 | Mary Jackson

[Retain Mike]

When Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill—named the Safer Streets For All Act—he emphasized it did not legalize prostitution. But pimps quickly posted celebratory messages on social media. Stephany Powell, director of law enforcement training and survivor services for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, saw one message proclaiming, “The streets belong to us now.”

Powell, a former vice sergeant for the Los Angeles Police Department, fought hard against the bill. She and other anti-trafficking advocates argued it would further enable pimps and traffickers while impeding law enforcement and nonprofits from intervening quickly to help victims escape the brutal realities of selling sex on the streets.

Now, what they feared is coming true.

Powell sees the evidence on Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. Where she might have seen 30 girls at a time on the street last year, now it’s up to 60. “Just two weeks ago, we ran out of support bags in 20 minutes … we’ve given out as many as 60 in an hour,” said Powell, who works with the Los Angeles–based anti-trafficking group Journey Out.

In the Bay Area, Vanessa Russell said the number of women and girls selling sex on the streets has tripled.

[Retain Mike]

I have four granddaughters ages eight, five, four, and two, who I dearly love. I imagine each one of these girls on the streets has or had in their lives someone who loved them as much as I love my grandchildren. I have come to the conclusion that Democrats, liberals, progressives, LGBTQ and other such people must be truly evil and perverted.

[tomkat]

Your conclusion is sound.

[stevio]

And half America votes for them.

[HeadOn]

OK... I’m behind. What was this bill, and what did they SAY they were trying to do?

[HeadOn]

OK... Google works: (sorry)

“The Safer Streets for All Act will stop survivors of trafficking and sex workers from facing a criminal record simply for walking on the street.

[Retain Mike]

You have to click on the picture to read the entire article.

[Enterprise]

California had a law prohibiting loitering for the purposes of prostitution. If the police saw a woman in an area known for prostitution activities they would stop and interview her. If it was determined that she was there to engage in prostitution, she would be cited for a misdemeanor. Those cited would rarely fight the charge, and would then have a misdemeanor crime on their record. What the Democrats did was to cancel the law. Police can’t charge someone for this crime anymore.

[HeadOn]

Thanks. That explains it more.