SAN DIEGO, CA – Business owners along Dalbergia Street in Barrio Logan are voicing growing concerns over an escalating issue that has plagued the area for years: prostitution. Despite ongoing reports and attempts to address the situation, local entrepreneurs say the problem is worsening, with litter and used condoms becoming a common sight on the streets.
One businessman, who requested anonymity due to fear of retribution from those involved in the illegal trade, attributes the surge in activity to the enactment of the Safer Streets for All Act in 2022. The legislation, known as SB 357, decriminalized loitering with the intent to engage in prostitution, aiming to reduce discriminatory policing practices against marginalized groups.
“Since SB 357 came into effect, it feels like loitering has become a free-for-all,” the businessman lamented. The law’s intention was to protect Black, brown, and transgender individuals from targeted arrests, but critics argue it inadvertently facilitated the rise in street-level prostitution.
While prostitution and sex trafficking remain illegal in California, enforcement appears sporadic. Patrol cars are a frequent presence, yet their impact seems fleeting. According to local residents, officers pass through the area regularly, yet those engaging in the trade appear unfazed, often mocking the police with brazen displays.
During a recent visit, a reporter observed a woman entering a vehicle, only to return shortly after to resume her activities. When approached, the woman defended her work, equating it to any other business. “Just like they’re making their money, this is my business,” she stated, acknowledging the risks involved but expressing the necessity to “risk it all to have it all.”
Efforts to obtain comments from the city of San Diego, the police department, and City Council member Vivian Moreno have so far gone unanswered. Frustrated business owners are now calling for a repeal of SB 357, hoping to restore order to their neighborhood.
As the debate continues, the community remains caught in a cycle, searching for a solution that balances public safety with equitable law enforcement.