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Salinas police: 5 human-trafficking arrests and two juveniles rescued after targeted operation; new state law targets buyers
Summary
Commander Warner told the advisory committee the city coordinated a cross-department response after the 2023 repeal of a loitering misdemeanor, installing cameras in a four-block area known as "The Blade," and said Operation Reclaim and Rebuild led to five trafficking arrests and two juvenile rescues; AB 379/PC 653.25 targets purchasers.
Commander Warner delivered a human trafficking and prostitution update to the Police Community Advisory Committee, tracing how legal changes prompted a citywide, cross-department response and describing recent enforcement results.
Warner said the 2022 Safer Streets for All Act repealed Penal Code 653.22 (loitering with intent to commit prostitution), which took effect Jan. 1, 2023. "Once they took that tool away from us, we knew at the police department that we cannot address this solely as a law enforcement issue," Warner said, adding the city created a cross-department coordination team involving libraries, community services, public works, the city attorney and community development.
Warner described a focused four-block area known locally as "The Blade" (bounded by Kern, Kings, North Madera and East Market) as the principal concern where department personnel reported an initial uptick in prostitution activity. He said the city held a community meeting on Sept. 16 that rejected some proposals (parking permits and food-truck removal) but requested expanded lighting and cameras; phase 1 camera installations now cover Market/Kern and Market/Madera.
The commander said statewide Operation Reclaim and Rebuild targeted traffickers; the department reported five arrests for human trafficking and the rescue of two juveniles during that operation. Warner told the committee that AB 379 created Penal Code 653.25, which specifically targets purchasers: "If they're in an area known for prostitution, circling, flagging down people, they can be stopped, cited, and arrested for 653.25," he said. Warner also noted that 647(b) (prostitution) is more difficult to prove because it requires evidence of an agreement to exchange value.
Committee members asked how citations escalate to arrests and whether hotels and motels were cooperating. Warner said misdemeanor arrests normally result in release on citation unless suspicion is that conduct is "likely to continue," which can justify custody; he added that hotel managers have been responsive and required trafficking literature is posted. Staff confirmed the city is working with Monterey County District Attorney's Office on prosecutions related to underage victims.
Residents raised related concerns about solar lighting, theft of copper wiring and possible child-trafficking activity involving parked vans; District 5 representative Joe Alvarado urged the advisory body to recommend solar lighting to council as an alternative to repeated wiring replacement. Warner said the full Blade-area lighting extension remains planned but is pending funding (the project was described as just under $100,000 with roughly half spent on phase 1). The committee planned further community outreach and follow-up.
