VAN NUYS : Woman Jailed Over Prostitution Law

A North Hollywood woman became the first person to be jailed for violating new regulations that put restrictions on convicted prostitutes in certain San Fernando Valley neighborhoods, Los Angeles City Atty. James Hahn announced Friday.

Van Nuys Municipal Judge Alan Ellis sentenced 18-year-old Melissa Ong to 45 days in jail for violating a two-year probation, which she received following her conviction for prostitution on May 26.

Deputy City Atty. Laura Van Eyk, who filed the case against Ong, called it a first step in the program’s attempt to remove prostitutes from high-crime neighborhoods.

“It’s a good indication that this effort’s going to work,” said Van Eyk. “This program basically keeps the prostitutes from moving on to another hot spot in the Valley.”

Ong had been given a map marked with areas of the Valley where she was forbidden to engage motorists in conversation or solicit or accept rides from motorists. She also was not supposed to be sitting with a motorist in a parked vehicle in those areas between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6 a.m.

After being released on probation May 26, Ong was arrested June 19 at Lankershim Boulevard and Erwin Street, the same location where she was arrested in May.

The location was among those restricted under the mapping program.

Undercover vice officers with the Los Angeles Police Department made the arrest after watching Ong approach vehicles being driven by male motorists, according to Van Eyk.

About 35 convicted prostitutes on probation have been ordered to obey the mapping program’s restrictions, Van Eyk said.