Prostitutes East Palo Alto

East Palo Alto, California, once had a significant issue with street prostitution during the 1980s and 1990s. The area around University Avenue and the freeway off-ramps was particularly notorious, with frequent solicitation and related criminal activities. Local residents and businesses complained about the visible sex trade, which often occurred in broad daylight, contributing to an environment of disorder and attracting additional crime such as drug dealing and prostitution.

EPA’s Crime Epidemic Era

The city became known for having one of the highest per capita murder rates in the nation during that period, which was fueled in part by gang activity, drug trafficking, and the visible street sex trade. This reputation made East Palo Alto synonymous with urban blight and high crime rates and prostitution.

Transformation Through Enforcement

In recent years, the city has undertaken concerted efforts to combat prostitution and improve community safety. Increased police presence, targeted operations, and collaboration with community groups have led to a noticeable reduction in street prostitution. A police spokesperson stated:

We have made significant progress in cleaning up the area and restoring a sense of safety for our residents.

While isolated incidents may still occur, the scale of the problem is vastly diminished compared to previous decades, and the city continues to focus on revitalization and maintaining lower crime rates.

*TAGS* – University Avenue solicitation, street sex trade reduction, EPA revitalization efforts