Costa Mesa Cracks Down on Prostitution with Dozens of Arrests

COSTA MESA, CA - Costa Mesa police made 32 prostitution-related arrests during the past two weeks, the department says.

Most of the arrests came from the Vagabond Inn and La Quinta Inn, police chief Rob Sharnack said in remarks reported by the Orange County Register.

“Costa Mesa is not a safe haven for prostitutes,” he said.

As a way to get rid of motels that are often magnets for crime, Costa Mesa city leaders came up with a plan last year to entice motel owners to close rather than penalize them into doing so. The plan would make motel properties more valuable by allowing owners to change the zoning from commercial to high- density residential, which would allow apartment complexes to be built there.

In 2014, the City Council voted to begin fining motels for excessive nuisance complaints and limiting motels stays to 30 days to oust long-term residents.

City News Service