GLENDALE β The ongoing recession is attracting more out-of-town prostitutes to Glendale and Burbank, which reportedly produce higher-paying clients in safer environments, authorities said. The trend is even hitting high-priced hotels, like the Hilton Glendale, which have been the target of several recent prostitution stings.
Four women were arrested on prostitution charges in an undercover sting at the Hilton in March. Matthew Prokosch said. Marie Trudell, a year-old who was arrested May 15 on prostitution charges, told undercover detectives that she traveled from Michigan to California because she heard she could make significantly more money, Prokosch said. Oregon native Jolene Kent, 20, has been a sex worker since February and has been traveling to Glendale to make money, Prokosch said.
She set up a hotel room in the block of Colorado Street, where she was arrested May 22 on suspicion of prostitution, Prokosch said. Zhang was arrested May 22 on suspicion of soliciting sex acts to an undercover detective at a motel on the block of West Colorado Street, he said. Prostitution is based on having clients, she said. And if money is tight, she said, call girls will likely have fewer clients. If prostitution were legal, Almodovar said, there would be fewer assaults and less abuse on sex workers.
Tom Lorenz said. Sixty-three women have been arrested in Glendale since July on prostitution crimes, and many were also charged with possessing narcotics or had outstanding warrants. Prostitution is often assumed to be a victimless crime, but Lorenz said violent assaults can often result from it.
Given all the other crime that can stem from prostitution, the recent trend highlights the need for continued vigilance, especially as prostitutes begin to tap hotels throughout the city, he added. Maria Zavala, 25, of San Diego, reportedly worked for an escort service that set her up in a hotel room near the Glendale 2 Freeway, Prokosch said.
