Prostitutes Sunset
Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles has a long, complex history with street prostitution. Despite repeated efforts, it remains a persistent issue in specific areas. Known Hotspots Prostitution historically concentrated on major streets: Santa Monica Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, Western Avenue, and Figueroa Street. These areas gained notoriety. Sex workers often operated openly near businesses like 7-Elevens. Figueroa Street, especially at sunset, became a well-documented zone for this activity.
Enforcement Challenges
Police efforts have had limited success. Raids occurred, like the major cleanup of the Sunset Strip in the 1990s. Stings targeting both sex workers and clients (“johns”) are common. For example, New Windsor police charged dancers with prostitution at the Sunset Strip Adult Entertainment Club. Crackdowns in Hollywood resulted in numerous arrests. Despite these actions, the trade persists. Lawmakers acknowledge it’s like playing Whac-A-Mole
. Prostitutes often returned after raids.
Why Prostitution Persists
Street-Level Reality Accounts describe workers openly advertising services bold as blue jays
. Transgender sex workers were part of this environment. Some workers entered the trade seeking income, sometimes after failing to break into Hollywood. The reality was often harsh and dangerous. A 1976 incident involved a prostitute killed while working. The Sunset Strip’s Adult Past The Sunset Strip itself was once LA’s adult playground. Brothels and sex shops operated there. Ambitious police targeted its prostitution scene as far back as 1948. While cleaned up significantly, especially in the 90s, its adult entertainment legacy lingers. Clubs like The Body Shop still operate nearby. The core reasons seem simple. There is demand. People seek income. Enforcement struggles to keep pace. The geography of major boulevards provides accessibility. This creates an ongoing challenge for communities and law enforcement along Sunset and its connecting streets.
*TAGS* – Sunset Boulevard prostitution, LA street sex trade, Figueroa Street activities
