United for Safe Streets: A Tri-City Initiative to Combat Sex and Human Trafficking on Long Beach Boulevard

City officials in Long Beach, Lynwood, and Compton are pushing for a coordinated crackdown on prostitution and human trafficking along Long Beach Boulevard, especially in the high-activity stretch from North Long Beach through Compton to Lynwood.

A new proposal from Long Beach councilmembers and the mayor would give officials 60 days to develop a cross-jurisdictional, multi-departmental plan.

The area is considered the second busiest region for such activity in L.A. County, after Figueroa Street, and has caused safety concerns near schools, parks, and homes. The plan includes:

• Identifying high-risk areas

• Hiring community service officers for schools

• Expanding nuisance laws to hold property owners accountable

• Targeting motel owners who enable illegal activity

• Requiring stricter guest identification and security measures at motels

• Creating stronger penalties, including fines, closures, or rezoning for noncompliant properties

Acknowledging that many sex workers are human trafficking victims, the proposal emphasizes a “survivor-centered” approach by involving local nonprofits and legal aid. Officials stress regional cooperation to avoid simply pushing the problem across city lines, a flaw in previous enforcement efforts.

We, the Citizens' Coalition for Change, as the a local advocacy group in Compton are in full support of this tri-city effort:

“We fully support this unified approach by Long Beach, Lynwood, and Compton. Our neighborhoods have endured the consequences of unchecked street-level sex trafficking for too long. This tri-city collaboration shows a real commitment to restoring safety, dignity, and hope to our communities while supporting survivors with compassion and real resources.”

News reports and articles, and press releases from recent years regarding human trafficking on Long Beach Blvd.

• https://www.longbeach.gov/police/press-releases/two-north-division-investigations-lead-to-the-rescue-of-three-human-trafficking-victims-and-a-suspect-arrest/

• https://www.presstelegram.com/2025/01/25/1-arrested-3-teens-rescued-in-long-beach-human-trafficking-investigations/

• https://lbpost.com/newsletter/a-tri-city-effort-to-curb-prostitution-along-the-boulevard/

• https://acf.gov/otip/education-training/humantrafficking

• https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/second-long-beach-elementary-school-plagued-with-suspected-prostitution/3383715/