SAN DIEGO—
The San Diego Board of Supervisors took a closer look Tuesday at the growing trend of street gangs pimping young girls."What we've really seen in the last couple of years is the influx of gangs into human trafficking," said Deputy District Attorney Gretchen Means. "They've used the structure, the organization, the force, intimidation, and violence of a gang to run women. It's become a tremendous money maker for criminal street gangs."
Authorities said the girls are getting younger and younger. Those in the sex crimes unit said it's impacting young girls across San Diego including the more affluent neighborhoods not generally associated with the crime.
"Girls are getting sort of drawn into it," said Means. "Girls that already have money and are from nicer homes or intact homes in nicer areas in San Diego are getting drawn into the glitz and glamour of the lifestyle, and then are quickly being broken down. This life and the game break down girls and it's very difficult to escape."
Many authorities attribute the rise in prostitution to the internet making it more accessible.
"With the internet, you can surf the numerous websites that are out there and you could order a prostitute to your house and nobody's going to know that," said Sgt. Jason King with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
The Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted to take the problem of prostitution in San Diego seriously and to take necessary action either by strengthening the human trafficking task force or by supporting legislation.
