Residents Voice Concerns Over Sex Trafficking in Koreatown

Community meeting addresses increase in sex work activity in residential neighborhoods

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Concerned residents in the Pico Union district of Los Angeles attended a packed community meeting to voice their concerns about sex workers bringing customers into their neighborhoods, leading to incidents of public sex acts and discarded contraceptives on the streets. Law enforcement says a crackdown on the Figueroa corridor may have pushed the activity into other areas, and city officials from various departments came together to discuss solutions, though some residents felt the issue had not been taken seriously until it impacted a more affluent neighborhood.

Why it matters

The rise in sex work activity in residential neighborhoods has raised concerns about public safety and quality of life issues for local residents. The meeting highlights the tensions between law enforcement efforts, community concerns, and the complex nature of addressing sex trafficking and prostitution in urban areas.

The details

Residents in neighborhoods west of Western Avenue above the 10 Freeway say sex workers and their customers have been coming into their neighborhoods every night, engaging in sex acts in front of houses and leaving behind contraceptives on the streets. They say the activity has increased over the past few years, with one resident reporting seeing five women on a single street corner in one night. Law enforcement believes a crackdown on the Figueroa corridor may have pushed the activity into other areas. At the meeting, several city departments came together to find solutions, though some residents expressed frustration that the issue had not been taken seriously until it impacted a more affluent neighborhood.

  • The community meeting took place on Thursday night.
  • Residents say the increase in sex work activity in their neighborhoods has occurred over the past few years.

The players

Rory Cunningham

A resident of the St. Andrew Square neighborhood who says sex workers and their customers come into the neighborhood, engage in sex acts in front of houses, and leave behind contraceptives on the streets.

Charles D'Atri

The president of the Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association, who says the contentious nature of the meeting is part of the process to get things done and is optimistic that city officials will find a solution.

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What they’re saying

“The young women bring their Johns into our neighborhoods where they're having sex in our yards, on our porches, in our driveways,”

— Rory Cunningham, Resident

“Last month I counted one night five women on our corner,”

— Rory Cunningham, Resident

“For over two years I've called and complained and by all appearances no one seemed to be taking this seriously until a high end neighborhood started to be impacted,”

— Unnamed Resident

“It's not always fun. People start yelling at each other and they act out but the reality is that's what gets things done. The fact that it has become a media issue, the fact that the city government is engaged makes me optimistic that it is going to get remediated if not solved.”

— Charles D'Atri, President, Larchmont Village Neighborhood Association

What’s next

City officials from various departments are working together to find solutions to address the increase in sex work activity in residential neighborhoods.

The takeaway

This community meeting highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement efforts, community concerns, and the complex nature of addressing sex trafficking and prostitution in urban areas. While some residents feel the issue has not been taken seriously, others are hopeful that the increased attention and engagement of city officials will lead to remedies, if not a complete solution.