Congresswoman Norma Torres Gets $69,550 To Help Pomona Police Anti-Prostitution Human Trafficking Campaign
Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded the City of Pomona with a $69,550 grant to combat human trafficking and prostitution. During the Fiscal Year 2016 congressional appropriations process Rep. Torres signed onto a letter specifically requesting strong funding for the JAG program in the FY16 Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill which funds programs in the Department of Justice.
“Human trafficking and prostitution prey on the young and the vulnerable, often trapping them in a world of drugs, violence, and emotional abuse,” said Torres. “Beyond the unspeakable pain of those involved, they also lead to rising crime levels across the community. I am proud to see the City of Pomona is taking action to combat this dangerous epidemic and that they will be getting much needed support from the Department of Justice in these efforts.”
The city was awarded an FY16 DOJ Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) which can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice in a variety of program areas. Pomona will specifically use these funds to provide additional funding to conduct enhanced human trafficking and prostitution enforcements.
Six Month Arrest Recap
The Pomona Police Department continues its campaign against human trafficking and over the past three months the police have arrested more than 200 for various prostitution related offenses. Pomona police officers with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies continue to take a proactive approach by enforcing all prostitution laws, specifically along the East Holt Ave. corridor. The departments Major Crimes Task Force has taken the lead in these investigations and have been coordinating the daily sting operations that have led to the arrests Anyone with information regarding prostitution is encouraged to call the Pomona Police Department at (909) 620-2095 or if they wish to remain anonymous they can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or We-Tip at 1-800-78 CRIME.
Source: Staff, Pomona Proud