In South Claremont and North Pomona, on Indian Hill Boulevard along the 10 Freeway, there remains a growing presence of prostitution. Many residents, business owners, and passerby in the area have called in sightings of active solicitation and prostitutes to the Claremont Police Department, in and around the three hotels surrounding the 10 freeway, but even as south as Holt Avenue in Pomona. The matter has been a growing concern amongst the population of Claremont and Pomona and parents have taken up quite the problem with the sight of active solicitation.

Prostitutes bring their solicitors from Holt Boulevard all the way up to the three hotels in Claremont, which makes it a problem of the city. Additionally, it does not help that the location of the hotels are congested and busy with all the foot traffic. However, this soliciting that crosses city limits has allowed for cooperation between the police departments of Claremont and Pomona.

The three hotels — the Claremont Lodge, Motel 6, and Knights Inn — are notorious areas under suspicion of not just being dens for prostitution but central hubs for human trafficking. In fact one of the hotels is so well known for its affiliation with sex work, that it has been dubbed ‘Motel Sex’ by local business owners. If found guilty of human trafficking, a lengthy prison term for the traffickers is to be expected, especially if a minor is involved or “force, fear, fraud, deceit, coercion, violence, duress, menace, or threat of unlawful injury to the victim,” according to the California Department of Social Services. The Claremont Police Department has acted in an effort to combat it. Through several sting operations and joint work throughout the years with the Pomona Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the departments have managed to arrest a number of people on misdemeanor sex solicitation charges, and further work has been done to take down the more serious case of potential human trafficking. In these “John” sting operations, Claremont PD officers pose as prostitutes soliciting customers, known as “Johns”. As the police bring the “Johns” up to the hotel, Claremont PD promptly arrests them. However, some cases surrounding arrests are not so straightforward according to Police Commissioner, Caleb Mason.

“Police control arrests; the DA’s Office controls prosecutions,” said Mason. “The current District Attorney of Los Angeles County has a policy of generally not charging prostitution crimes.”

Recently, on August 26th and September 15, Claremont and Pomona PD worked together in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Probation Department to arrest 19 “Johns” in a massive 2-day sting operation. In stings in which the prostitutes are arrested, they are brought to the Claremont police department and are questioned by officers to examine for signs that they have been victims of human trafficking. The ultimate goal for the Claremont PD is to be able to identify these signs successfully and find safe alternatives for the victims. It is crucial that prostitutes feel safe enough to talk to officers, removing them from the streets and the watchful eye of potential traffickers or outside eyes. The Claremont Police Department works alongside Project Sister, a family service company, to offer helpful social services to help lift prostitutes out of their situation, regardless if they are victims of human trafficking or not. The resources include counseling and shelters. If they do not accept these social services then they are booked on prostitution charges.

The police departments of Claremont and Pomona realize it is imperative for action to be taken immediately, to quell the situation. According to the recent data collected there has been a rise in prostitution.

“Based on recent presentations to the Police Commission by the Claremont PD, Pomona PD, and community organizations such as Project Sister, it seems safe to say that the numbers are going up,” said Mason.

Residents of South Claremont are quick to show their disdain with the situation in their neighborhood; along with reporting their sightings of prostitution and even sex in cars, they took to the streets to voice their concern with human trafficking. On August 27th, near the area of the hotels where the sex work is notorious, a group of 60-some protestors raised signs displaying their disgust with human trafficking and the safety of their streets.

Currently the situation is at a standstill, while there was an ad hoc committee created, consisting of members Caleb Mason, Claremont Police Commissioner, Becky Margiotta, owner of The Billions Institute, LLC, along with Frank Bedoya a chair of the police commission, to crack down on crime related to the hotels. In time, residents will see if the police’s involvement on the situation has had a positive impact on prostitution rates throughout South Claremont.