Title
Staff Report to approve a resolution directing the City Attorney to use the Red Light Abatement Law to pursue enforcement against houses of prostitution within the City of San Leandro
Staffreport
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution directing the City Attorney to use the Red Light Abatement Law to pursue enforcement against houses of prostitution within the City of San Leandro.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
The Red Light Abatement Law (Penal Code sections 11225-11235) provides enforcement tools against prostitution and human trafficking and declares prostitution and human trafficking to be public nuisances. The enforcement methods under the Red Light Abatement Law include, but are not limited to, the ability to: obtain temporary restraining orders; close buildings where specified illegal activity occurs or alternatively seeking payment of one year’s fair market rental value as damages; seek civil penalties up to the full amount allowable by law; and seek payment of attorneys’ fees and costs of investigation and discovery.
The Red Light Abatement Law empowers city attorneys to bring actions in equity to abate and prevent these nuisances, and to perpetually enjoin the person conducting or maintaining the nuisance, and the owner, lessee, or agent of the building or place in or upon which the nuisance exists, from directly or indirectly maintaining or permitting such activity. The proposed resolution authorizes and directs the City Attorney to utilize the Red Light Abatement law to pursue enforcement against houses of prostitution within the City.