Policy Text
Roll Call Training Bulletin
Produced by: Sgt. Micaela Cruz , Human Trafficking Unit Katherine Lester , Chief of Police
Prepared by: Det. Jason Collins, Human Trafficking Unit Volume 26-2
Loitering for Solicitation of Prostitution UPDATE
01-13 -2026
Starting January 1, 2026, Assembly Bill 379 (AB 379) reinstates the crime of loitering for the solicitation of
prostitution. The new penal code section reads:
Penal Code (PC) 653.25(a): It is unlawful for any person to loiter in any public place with the intent to
purchase commercial sex. This intent is evidenced by acting in a manner and under circumstances that openly
demonstrate the purpose of inducing, enticing, or soliciting prostitution, or procuring another to commit
prostitution such as circling an area in a motor vehicle and repeatedly beckoning to, contacting, or attempting
to contact or stop pedestrians or other motorists, making unauthorized stops along known prostitution tracks,
or engaging in other conduct indicative of soliciting to procure another to engage in commercial sex.
Definitions
1) Date : The encounter between a sex worker and a sex buyer for commercial sex.
2) Prostitution Stroll: A street or area known for prostitution activity.
3) Sex Buyer: A person who pays for sexual acts.
4) Sex Worker: A person who engages in sexual acts with another person in exchange for money or items of
value.
Demand And Purpose of Enforcement
The sex trafficking industry is driven by the demand to purchase sex. AB379 now helps law enforcement to
address this demand by providing a mechanism for taking enforcement action against sex buyers who are
loitering on the prostitution stroll to solicit sex from sex workers. Consistent enforcement of this stat ute will
decrease the prostitution activity in the City .
Note: This section applies ONLY to sex buyers. Loitering for prostitution by sex workers is NOT
enforceable under this statute.
Observations And Report Documentation
The following sections outline the key factors to consider when articulating violations of Penal Code 653.25(a)
and documenting your observations in a report. Clear, detailed articulation strengthens probable cause and
supports successful prosecution.
1) Identify and Describe the Prostitution Stroll:
a) Example Description: “Stockton Boulevard is a recognized and extensively documented prostitution
stroll within Sacramento County. The segment between Fruitridge Road and Florin Road has long been
an active corridor where sex workers loiter, and sex buyers routinely drive through the area to solicit
commercial sex.”
2) Describe the Behavior of the Sex Worker on the Prostitution Stroll (be specific):
Roll Call Training Bulletin
Produced by: Sgt. Micaela Cruz, Human Trafficking Unit Katherine Lester, Chief of Police
Prepared by: Det. Jason Collins, Human Trafficking Unit Volume 26-2
a) Example Observation: “I observed a female wearing red, see -through lingerie that exposed her breasts
and buttocks, along with high- heeled shoes. She was standing in the middle of the street at Stockton
Boulevard/48th Avenue, attempting to make eye contact with passing drivers and waving at multiple
vehicles. Based on my training and experience, this is typical behavior of sex workers attempting to
gain the attention of sex buyers.”
b) Additional Points
i) Avoid vague descriptions such as “scantily clad.” Clearly describe the specific clothing the sex
worker is wearing.
ii) Document when the clothing is inconsistent for the weather conditions (e.g., lingerie or short shorts
when it is 45 degrees outside).
3) Describe the Behavior of the Sex Buyer (be specific)
a) Example Observation: “I observed a white Honda Accord (license plate #) driven by a solo male
occupant (later identified as …) pull next to the female described above at Stockton Boulevard/48th Avenue. The female approached the driver’s window and engaged in a brief conversation. Based on
my training and experience, conversations of this nature typically involve negotiation of the sex act and
price. Before this interaction, I observed the vehicle driving slowly up and down Stockton Boulevard several times, particularly through areas where sex workers were present. This behavior is consistent
with sex buyers loitering to solicit commercial sex.”
4) Describe the Action After the Contact (be specific)
a) If the sex worker gets into the vehicle, follow the vehicle to observe where it goes . “Dates” commonly
occur in secluded areas such as down a dark street, behind a business, or other locations where the
sex acts are not easily observed. Stopping in such a location helps strengthen probable cause by
demonstrating there is no legitimate reason for the stop other than to engage in a commercial sex act.
b) When the Sex Buyer Leaves Without Picking Up the Sex Worker
i) Before taking enforcement action, consider the totality of the behavior observed.
(1) Articulating Loitering Without Pick -Up
(a) If you observed the sex buyer circling the area, repeatedly stopping, beckoning to, or
attempting to contact multiple sex workers, even if no one entered the vehicle, you may still
have probable cause for loitering to solicit prostitution.
(2) Example Scenario: You observe a driver circle the stroll and stop to talk with a sex worker. No agreement occurs, and the driver leaves. A short time later, you observe the same driver circle
back and contact a different sex worker. These repeated attempts to engage with multiple sex
workers, combined with the circling behavior, provide articulable facts supporting a PC §
653.25(a) violation based on