Oakland police on Thursday announced eight more arrests in their ongoing effort to curb prostitution and human trafficking along International Boulevard.
Six men were arrested Monday on suspicion of soliciting prostitution and while their names weren’t released, police said three of them were from Oakland and the others were from Hayward, San Mateo and Redwood City.
Additionally, a man from San Francisco and one from Oakland were arrested Monday on suspicion of loitering with the intent to purchase commercial sex, according to police.
“So far this year, 71 people have been arrested in targeted investigations against human trafficking,” Oakland police officials said in a news release. “These efforts are meant to reduce trafficking along International Boulevard by holding sex buyers responsible, stopping commercial sexual exploitation, and making the area safer.”
The targeted area in East Oakland is often referred to as “the Blade” and has long been a hot spot for open air sex markets and prostitution.
In addition to increased law enforcement attention, the Oakland City Council recently passed an ordinance to impose fines of up to $8,000 on people who buy sex, up to $20,000 per victim per day on human traffickers and $2,500 on business that allow such activity on their properties.
Proceeds from the fines will be put in a fund to support human trafficking victim services.
Anyone with information about human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation can call a Human Trafficking Hotline at (510) 238-2373.