Fountain Valley, CA

Tactics Used

Auto Seizure
Buyer Arrests
Cameras
Community Service
Employment Loss
Identity Disclosure
IT Based Tactics
John School
Letters
License Suspension
Neighborhood Action
Public Education
Reverse Stings
SOAP Orders
Web Stings

Fountain Valley is a city of 58,000 in Orange County, California. Local residents and law enforcement have reported problems related to prostitution, sex trafficking and related crimes (such as assault, drugs, and weapons offenses) in the city for decades. For example, at least one serial rapist who specifically targeted prostituted women has operated in the city.

In an effort to reduce the size of the city’s commercial sex market, the Fountain Valley Police Department has conducted reverse stings. Operations have been staged both at street level, and from within adult-oriented businesses (e.g., day spas, massage parlors). In 2010, for example, the FVPD conducted a sting operation at a day spa that was a front for prostitution. First, undercover officers were sent into the spa to arrest the employees engaged in providing commercial sex.  Then, undercover detectives operated the spa and made arrangements with “customers.”   When four men arrived and offered money for sex, they were charged with soliciting prostitution.

Key Sources

Street-Level Reverse Stings:

Documented Violence Against Individuals Engaged in Prostitution in the Area:

Background on Prostitution in the Area:

State California
Type City
Population 58118
Location
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