Salinas addressing sex work, relocation of food trucks on Kern Street

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The Salinas City Council is addressing prostitution and human trafficking. People living in certain areas are concerned about the safety of children in the area. Some solutions to the ongoing issues regarding sex workers and human trafficking are going before the council tonight.

A concerned neighbor, choosing to hide their identity, spoke briefly, saying, “One has children, and often it is not right for them to see these women walking around the street naked.” Many neighbors are opting to speak anonymously in fear of retaliation. A report to the city says a coordination team has been meeting on the issue for the past 3 months.

Others added that while the patrolling by the police department has helped address this issue, the lack of strict penalties has allowed it to continue. The program's area of focus – between East Alisal and East Market streets along Kern, King, and Roosevelt streets, as well as north Madeira.

The report looks to add street lights, no parking zones, and even security cameras along these intersections. And while people who live here feel that it will help solve this issue, they still think not enough is being done. 

“It would help police be able to get license plates of people involved,” another man who lives in the neighborhood says. The report would also look to evaluate the correlation between prostitution and food truck activity. 

“Here, the problem is women who wander around these streets,” says Juan Medina Herrera, owner of El Grullense food truck. Medina added that the potential relocation of his food truck would hurt his business. 

He says for 20 years they have had their food truck in the same place, growing their clientele without problems. 

Tonight, the city will hear more details about this report. They will look to potentially hold another meeting with people who live around the area and explore other potential solutions.