LOS ANGELES — A California gubernatorial candidate is blaming state leaders in Sacramento for what he describes as the rapid expansion of a notorious prostitution corridor in South Los Angeles, calling it a growing hub of sex trafficking and exploitation.

The candidate, who is challenging allies of Gavin Newsom, argued during a campaign stop this week that policy decisions at the state level have contributed to worsening public safety conditions in parts of Los Angeles.

“This didn’t happen overnight,” the candidate said. “Sacramento loosened enforcement, reduced penalties and tied the hands of local law enforcement. The result is what you see on the streets.”

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Two women, sex workers, interacting with a car at night on South Figueroa St. in Los Angeles.Carlin Stiehl for CA Post

A Long-Running Problem

The stretch of Figueroa Street in South Los Angeles has long been associated with prostitution and trafficking activity. Residents and business owners have for years raised concerns about open-air solicitation, violence and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

The Los Angeles Police Department has conducted periodic enforcement operations targeting pimps and traffickers, though critics argue that the problem has intensified in recent years.

Advocates for trafficking victims emphasize that many individuals involved in street prostitution are themselves victims of coercion, abuse or addiction, and they caution against rhetoric that criminalizes exploited people.

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Nightfall transforms the otherwise quiet commercial strip into one of the region’s most visible open-air sex markets.

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California governor candidate Steve Hilton joined a nighttime outreach operation searching for missing or exploited girls along the corridor.

Policy Debate

The candidate pointed to recent changes in California law that reduced penalties for certain loitering-related offenses, arguing that the reforms have made it harder for police to intervene before trafficking situations escalate.

Supporters of the reforms counter that previous laws disproportionately targeted women and marginalized communities, and that combating trafficking requires a focus on demand and on prosecuting traffickers rather than arresting those being exploited.

Governor Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the candidate’s claims.

Cars circle slowly as women wait on corners along the 50-block stretch of South Los Angeles known as the Blade.Carlin Stiehl for CA Post

Political Flashpoint

Public safety and homelessness are emerging as central issues in California’s upcoming gubernatorial race. The candidate’s remarks reflect a broader debate over criminal justice reform and its impact on street-level crime.

Local officials say coordinated efforts between city, county and state agencies are ongoing to address trafficking concerns, including victim services, targeted enforcement and community outreach.

For residents along the corridor, the issue remains urgent — and increasingly politicized — as the campaign season intensifies.