Los Angeles: Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollywood Vice Unit conducted a Prostitution Reverse Sting Operation. During the operation, eighteen people were arrested for soliciting acts of prostitution and two others were arrested on pimping charges. A total of thirteen vehicles were seized pursuant to the newly enacted Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 41.70, which provides for the seizure and forfeiture of vehicles used by "Johns" who solicit or attempt to solicit an act of prostitution. Since this law became effective February 9, 2003, a total of 27 vehicles have been seized during Hollywood Area's Prostitution Reverse Sting Operation.

Seizing the vehicles of those who solicit prostitutes is a problem-solving tool that has been used, and proven to be effective, in many northern California cities. We believe this new law will dramatically impact the demand for this quality of life crime, which brings blight and disorder into many neighborhoods throughout the city.

"We look forward to conducting many more of these types of operations in the hope that the market for street walking prostitution will dry up in the City of Los Angeles," said Captain Michael Downing, Commanding Officer of Hollywood Area.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Adriana N. Sanchez, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.