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Thursday, February 01-February 07, 2024
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VOL. 28,
NO. 157
More than 500 arrests reported in statewide anti-human trafficking operation By City News Service
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ore than 500 arrests were made in a week-long, statewide anti-human trafficking operation that included personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, authorities said Tuesday. The 10th annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, which was conducted from Jan. 21-27, involved more than 95 federal, state and local agencies, including personnel from the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced the results of the operation at a Tuesday morning news conference at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles. Luna said authorities made 539 arrests during the operation, including 40
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna (left) and Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón (center) were joined by other local law enforcement officials during a press conference Tuesday. | Screenshot courtesy of LASD HQ/Facebook
suspected "sexual traffickers or exploiters" and 271 suspected "sex buyers." Also, 54 adults and 11 juveniles were rescued, including a 14-year- old girl, Luna said. It was unclear how many arrests were made in Los Angeles County. "Human trafficking and
child exploitation are devastating crimes that prey on some of the most vulnerable members of our community," Luna said. "This week-long operation demonstrates that if you engage in human trafficking activities, harm our children, and destroy lives, there will
be absolute consequences; and there is no refuge for predators in the state of California," Luna said. In one Los Angeles County operation, task force personnel conducted an undercover "sex buyer" operation on a stretch of Holt Avenue in Pomona, Luna said.
Twelve males, two of whom are registered sex offenders, were arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution, Luna said. In San Diego County, a 17-year-old girl was at the Parkway Plaza Mall in El Cajon when she was approached by a man who told her "she
should be a model" and gave her a business card that had a phone number on it, Luna said. The girl called the number, and she was told that she would be "doing date sex with guys at hotels." The girl told her mother, who contacted authorities, and the suspect was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking of a minor and other offenses, Luna said. Luna was joined at the news conference by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, and representatives from the LAPD, the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies. Luna noted that although the annual statewide operation is conducted each January, which is Human trafficking Awareness Month, law enforcement personnel work year-round to target human traffickers.
Pasadena voters to consider city charter amendments in March election
Officials announce firearms relinquishment grant for LA County law enforcement
By Staff
By City News Service
hree city charter amendments will be on the March 5 ballot in Pasadena, officials reminded voters on Monday. The City Council voted unanimously Dec. 4 to put Measures R, S and T on the ballot, enabling Pasadena residents to decide on the proposed amendments. If approved by the majority of voters, the amendments "will enable the City to update outdated codes and language, adapt to changes, eliminate burdensome processes, set limits, and ensure that resources are used effectively, ultimately saving money and benefiting the community," according to a city statement. Officials noted the historical significance of charter amendments in Pasadena. In 1886, the city was officially incorporated and by 1901, Pasadena had become a chartered municipality with an elected mayor determined by popular vote.
uthorities Monday announced a grant designed to help investigators in Los Angeles County track those who are in violation of a "firearm relinquishment order" that is part of a domestic violence restraining order issued by a court. "Today, the Los Angeles Police Department and our partners are proud to announce the successful acquisition of a significant grant aimed at bolstering public safety and reducing the risk of gun violence," the LAPD said in a statement. "The grant, provided by the Judicial Council of California, will enable the implementation of a comprehensive initiative to enhance the relinquishment of firearms by individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders," the LAPD said. Information on the amount of the grant was not immediately available, according to the LAPD.
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