By Daily Press staff
DOWNTOWN — Eight people were arrested last Friday night during an undercover prostitution sting on Lincoln Boulevard.
Female officers from the Santa Monica Police Department used themselves as bait to lure “Johns” to a street corner on Lincoln Boulevard where they were propositioned and brought to a nearby hotel room. Once the men solicited sex, they were arrested for hiring a prostitute, a misdemeanor offense.
Known as a “Reverse John” sting, the undercover officers wore a wire underneath their clothing so vice detectives waiting in a hotel room could hear their conversations with the men. The stings are conducted regularly by the SMPD.
Lincoln Boulevard is known as a strip for prostitutes, who come from places like Hollywood to turn tricks in Santa Monica and Venice. Because it’s a state highway and serves as a main thoroughfare, hookers find the busy street a profitable place to set up shop.
Residents and merchants off of Lincoln Boulevard know that well. Often times, they are greeted in the morning with drug paraphernalia and used condoms lying on the street. It is the SMPD’s goal to eliminate prostitution in the city.
“It’s a community livability issue for us,” said SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega. “We are not going to tolerate that type of activity in our city.”
Since Jan. 7, the SMPD has arrested 20 people for prostitution, or given citations for loitering for the purposes of prostitution, according to police records.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 15, 2004. Read the original PDF.