Santa Ana has finally hit on tactics designed to cut down on prostitution on heavily traveled Harbor Boulevard that even the ACLU, traditionally a foe on the issue, approves. Parking and stopping cars will be prohibited along Harbor from 4 p. Edward J. The council was responding to pleas from merchants and residents, who have long complained about prostitutes flagging down cars and soliciting business along the boulevard at all hours.
Authorities say Harbor became popular after the Olympics and has been on the circuit ever since. Fast-food merchants along Harbor have complained that prostitutes often hide from police in their restaurants and scare other customers away. Homeowners who live just off Harbor have complained of finding condoms and syringes in their front yards.
Cooper, the city attorney, said the resolution also was designed to relieve traffic congestion caused by men stopping and picking up the women. The resolution was proposed jointly by the police and the Public Works Agency and is the latest effort to fight prostitution and traffic problems on Harbor Boulevard. Along with police, Cooper said his office is considering other proposals to relieve the problems, but he declined to elaborate.
In February, an Orange County Superior Court judge rejected a city plan to declare more than a hundred prostitution suspects public nuisances and bar them from Harbor Boulevard. Under the rejected plan, women suspected of repeated prostitution would have faced--in addition to criminal penalties--a ban on appearing within yards of problem spots along Harbor.
The no-stopping rule apparently did not draw opposition. Police Department spokesman Bob Chavez said the department handed out flyers announcing a community meeting in January, but nobody showed up. About Us. Brand Publishing. Times News Platforms.
