Stockton police net 27 arrests in human trafficking and prostitution operation
A recent "high-visibility, zero-tolerance enforcement operation" resulted in the arrests of more than two dozen suspected sex workers and customers, along with one person charged with pimping, police said.
Officers conducted two sweeps on March 7 in the area of Navy Drive and south Argonaut Street, and along a stretch of Sierra Nevada Street.
Nineteen people suspected of engaging in prostitution were cited. Officers also conducted seven traffic stops, issued seven citations to solicitors for prostitution, and arrested one person for pimping, police said.
Officers offered each person who was arrested "resources through victim-witness representatives to assist them in leaving the lifestyle." Two people accepted the assistance from victim-witness representatives, police said.
If you or someone you know or suspect is a victim of human trafficking, the San Joaquin County Family Justice Center offers help. Call the agency's 24-hour Human Trafficking Helpline at (209) 948-1911. The agency also offers tips and resources to help individuals heal and live a life free from sex trafficking and exploitation; visit weshallprevail.org for more information.
Chest of Hope Helpline: (209) 259-5552
Haven of Peace Women's Shelter (French Camp): (209) 982-0396
National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888
San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office Victim-Witness Services: (209) 468-2500
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton police arrest 27 in human trafficking, prostitution operation
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