Sean Belk/Signal Tribune
Efforts by the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) to crack down on prostitution and child-sex-trafficking has resulted in 91 arrests since the operation officially began in February, police officials announced on Wednesday, Sept. 24. During a press conference at the LBPD’s headquarters downtown, Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell (speaking at the podium) along with Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia (fifth from left) and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas (far right) announced that the operation launched by the LBPD’s Human Sex Trafficking Task Force eight months ago also helped rescue 22 minors between the ages of 12 and 17 while helping to refer 54 women to victim resources and support services.
