Home / Crime and Justice / LAPD Targets Figueroa's "Blade" for Trafficking Aid
LAPD Targets Figueroa's "Blade" for Trafficking Aid
19 Feb
Summary
- Figueroa Street's four-mile section is a dangerous hub for human trafficking.
- LAPD focuses on offering resources to victims rather than solely arrests.
- Pimps can earn $600 to $1,200 nightly from women working the Blade.
A four-mile stretch of Figueroa Street in South Los Angeles, dubbed "the Blade," has become a dangerous epicenter for human trafficking. This notorious area, from Gage Avenue to Imperial Highway, sees rampant prostitution in plain sight, fueled by a constant customer stream and a lack of sufficient law enforcement resources.
LAPD's 77th Division vice units are patrolling "the Blade," prioritizing assistance for victims over arrests. Their goal is to connect women selling sex with necessary resources to exit the exploitative lifestyle. Underage individuals found are turned over to the Department of Children and Family Services for specialized care.
Reports indicate that pimps on "the Blade" can generate substantial nightly earnings, ranging from $600 to $1,200 per woman. Survivors and law enforcement alike highlight the extreme violence endemic to the area, stemming from pimps, buyers, and even other women involved in the trade.
