SAN DIEGO — Local leaders on Thursday called on state officials to repeal a bill passed last year that decriminalized loitering with the intent to engage in sex work, arguing that the measure has made it more difficult for law enforcement to address the issue of sex trafficking.
This comes days after a multi-agency human trafficking operation in San Diego and National City that led to the arrest of 48 alleged traffickers and buyers, as well as the rescue of 16 individuals, including eight minors.
The Safer Streets for All Act, or SB 357, was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last July and took effect in January. The purpose of the measure, advocates say, was to address the disproportionate impact that previous enforcement of the misdemeanor had on Black and transgender communities.
The bill was backed by over 60 civil rights, anti-trafficking, sex trafficking survivor and reproductive justice groups, with a handful of advocacy organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, serving as sponsors.
But those at the press conference Thursday argued that the implementation of the well-intended bill has caused vulnerable groups, specifically children, to fall through the cracks, as it has made it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to identify and address issues of human trafficking.
“(This is) a disaster in policy that has failed to protect the most vulnerable in our society,” civil rights activist Rev. Shane Harris said during the press conference. “Not only...
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