The Figueroa Corridor in California, long known as a hub for sex work, has seen a marked increase in visible prostitution and human trafficking activity following recent legislative changes that decriminalized loitering with the intent to commit prostitution.

This stretch, which spans nearly four miles, is characterized by groups of women, some barely clothed, assembling on side streets while cars cruise slowly along the main road. Observers and law enforcement officials report that traffickers maintain control through direct supervision or by employing lookouts. Despite the frequent presence of police sirens, officers are often seen driving through the area without intervention.

The decriminalization stems from California Senate Bill 357 (S.B. 357), signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in July 2022. The bill removed penal provisions against loitering with the intent to commit prostitution, a statute that had been on the books since 1995. Newsom and supporters, including progressive organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, the California chapter of the ACLU, and Equality California, argued that the previous law disproportionately targeted women and transgender adults, particularly Black individuals, and that criminal penalties deterred the reporting of crimes and perpetuated harassment.

Before this change, police officers could arrest individuals based on behaviors and circumstances strongly indicating intent to solicit prostitution. Advocates contended that eliminating the law would reduce "harassment of women" and address concerns related to "walking while trans," a phrase highlighting how transgender people alleged facing discriminatory enforcement under the loitering statute.

However, critics contend that the repeal has had unintended consequences. Former LAPD Vice Unit Sergeant and human trafficking expert Stephany Powell noted that the removal of the loitering statute has made street-level enforcement more difficult, complicating efforts to identify and rescue both adults and minors involved in trafficking. Powell emphasized that many victims are trafficked from a young age, with average entry ages between 12 and 14, and that traffickers often keep control through branding and coercion.

In addition, law enforcement officials have stated that the increased visibility of prostitution on Figueroa after the law’s enactment has emboldened traffickers. Previously, arrests of loitering individuals provided opportunities to disrupt trafficking networks, but with arrests less feasible, police have had to rely more heavily on undercover operations targeting traffickers directly, resources for which are limited.

The severity of the trafficking problem prompted federal intervention. In August 2025, the United States Attorney’s Office led its first RICO case focused on human trafficking on the corridor, charging six members and associates of the Hoover Criminal Gang with offenses including sex trafficking of minors, money laundering, and child exploitation. A related federal operation in July 2026 resulted in additional arrests, including a motel operator accused of profiting from the gang’s trafficking activities.

Supporters of S.B. 357 continue to assert that the intent of the law is to protect vulnerable populations from criminalization and harassment. Meanwhile, opponents point to the surge in trafficking and street-level prostitution as evidence that further policy review and enforcement resources are necessary to address ongoing exploitation in the Figueroa Corridor.