Larchmont residents complain of nighttime prostitution outside homes

Neighbors in LA’s family-friendly Larchmont neighborhood say rampant prostitution is turning their quiet community into a public health hazard.

Locals have reported seeing people having sex in cars, on public benches and even on sidewalks, sometimes just feet from family homes.

“We see used condoms with semen leaking out of them on the street. Sometimes they’re covered in blood,” Larry, a local resident who asked to be identified only by his first name, told FOX11.

Frustrated that city officials and law enforcement have done little despite multiple complaints, some residents have taken matters into their own hands, posting surveillance signs around the neighborhood in an attempt to deter sexual activity.

“Whether it’s parents walking their kids to Van Ness Elementary or parents getting into cars with their children, how do you explain to a young child what this is?” another resident, Karen, told FOX11.

“All the appropriate committees are aware of it, and our elected officials are aware of it, and they’ve barely made a dent,” another resident said.

Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez said the city has launched a new multi-agency task force to address human trafficking along Western Avenue.

“We’ve launched a cross-agency task force on Western Avenue to tackle human trafficking directly,” Soto-Martinez said in a statement. “Working alongside the City Attorney, law enforcement, and Journey Out, we aim to provide survivor-focused support and long-term solutions for those affected.”