The city of Ontario, which is approximately 40 minutes (plus traffic) east of Los Angeles, has come under scrutiny for its high number of underage prostitutes. In a Daily Bulletin story over the weekend, the police explain the how, what, why of teenage prostitution in California and give us a rundown of the Top 4 Reasons Pimps Succeed...
First, let's break this epic(ally droning) piece down for readability's sake:
[You can pick them up on] half a dozen... Internet sites including one for pimps, where they can network, exchange information on methods, girls and police activities to figure out how to avoid arrest. That one is gotfolks.com. It describes itself as a magazine and flaunts a Netflix ad at the top of the page.
What brings these children to Ontario? The international airport and the presence of giant truck stops in the area where prostitution is rampant, they said. Note to johns: It is a crime for an adult to have sex with a minor, even if it is solicited. That's the law. You will be guilty of several felonies. [No shit, really?]
They told of another girl from the Inland area, who was taken to Vegas by her pimp called Mayo and was required to perform 18 tricks a week.
The officers said that 75 percent or more of the children lured into prostitution have been sexually or physically abused in the past.
"They are looking for structure and the pimps give it to them," the officers said.
Once a girl is hooked, she can't get out. The officers likened it to domestic violence were the abused spouse keeps going back because they see no way out. Some of these 14-, 15- and 16-year-old girls we try to interview in juvenile hall are hard as concrete, they said. But each of the officers said they love the job and feel it's a place where they can make a difference.
And the Top 4 Pimp Tactics are...
SEDUCTION - He takes her out to dinner and shopping, is attentive.
ISOLATION - He turns her against the world.
COERCION - She needs money and he shows her how to get it.
VIOLENCE - Immediate and brutal if she refuses.
We say: ladies, it's never a wise decision to sell yourself on the streets, although if you feel that you must, perhaps it's best to remember a pimp is like the film agent who takes 15% of your novel sale-- you don't need 'em. (And young ladies who feel trapped-- these pimps can't touch when they're behind bars for 20 years, thanks to your testimony.)
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