July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office Launches Human Trafficking Awareness and Enforcement Project:

Following the Santa Monica City Council’s passage of an anti-Human Trafficking resolution brought by Councilmember Kevin McKeown on September 13, 2016, the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office (CAO) is implementing a Human Trafficking Awareness and Enforcement Project this month.

Now a $9 billion industry, human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the United States. Up to 17,500 victims are trafficked here every year with the County of Los Angeles being one of the top trafficking destinations.  According to the state and federal laws, human trafficking victims include anyone who is coerced to engage in any activity and cannot leave—whether it is commercial sex, housework, farm work, construction, factory, retail, or restaurant work, or any other activity.

Sex workers make up the great majority of human trafficking victims and many of them are minors. For victims facing the fear and isolation that are endemic with human trafficking, a poster with information on trafficking and hotline resources can be a lifeline.

That’s where the CAO’s new project comes in. Deputy City Attorney Gary Rhoades stated that the CAO has been working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Human Trafficking Bureau, the National Council of Jewish Women|Los Angeles (NCJW), and City of Santa Monica’s Commission on the Status of Women (COSM) to develop an awareness and enforcement project to address the problem. According to Rhoades, the project will begin this month with the distribution in Santa Monica of a free tri-lingual (English, Spanish and Chinese) poster with national and California hotline information. 

"In other jurisdictions, one effect of the hotline posters has been a 250 percent increase in calls from that city to the human trafficking hotline," said Rhoades. "We’ve put together a plan and a poster with the goal of reaching a similar increase in reporting."

A requirement for certain businesses to display human trafficking hotline resources was added to California law in 2013. These businesses include:

·       Bars and nightclubs

·       adult or sexually-oriented business

·       primary airport

·       intercity passenger rail station or light rail station

·       bus station

·       truck stop

·       hospital emergency room or urgent care center

·       privately operated job recruitment center

·       business or establishment offering massage or bodywork services for compensation

The CAO will begin mailing free copies of the hotline poster to these establishments this month along with a letter describing the legal obligations to display it. The CAO will continue to work with the NCJW and COSM  to monitor compliance, and it has also just joined the Human Trafficking Task Force. This multi-jurisdictional task force, hosted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, combines federal, state and local resources to combat human trafficking in all its forms. 

The hotline numbers include the California Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) at 1-888-539-2373 and the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888. For more information, readers can also go to the CAO’s Consumer Protection Division’s web page at smconsumer.org

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...