Task Force Sweep Targets Motels Used by Prostitutes

Three scantily clad women paraded in front of the Ho-Hum Motel on Figueroa Street near 105th Street in South-Central Los Angeles at 10 in the morning. One offered to “make you happy” for $5.

By 10:15 the women had left, scattered by a public health and safety task force sweep organized by the area’s city councilman, Mark Ridley-Thomas.

The goal: to discourage prostitution by using minor violations to target motels that cater to hookers.

“It’s a about time,” said Richard Edwards, who has lived on 105th Street for 32 years. “They need to close those motels down.”

“These motels are dangerous and unhealthy,” said Ridley-Thomas, “We plan to not let up on these places.”

The sweep, which hit eight motels on Figueroa and one on San Pedro Street, cited owners for building and safety violations. Most of the motels were written up for violations ranging from broken smoke detectors and lighting fixtures to holes in the walls. The owners will be ordered to fix the problems or face stiff fines.

In one shabby room at the Ho-Hum Motel, where a stained bed was the only piece of furniture, inspector J. De La Bretonaire was busy writing violations when Ridley-Thomas walked in. The councilman looked around in disgust and said, “Man, anything would be better then this.”

Tenant Romie James, who pays $20 a day to stay there, agreed, saying: “This place is so nasty.”

The motel’s manager, Lupe DeLeon, said he was pleased the police and fire departments were here. The owner was unavailable for comment.

As the four building inspectors looked into each room, firefighters and police officers watched. “The Ho-Hum is the worst motel around here,” said Officer Al Labrada, who works the prostitution detail. “Most of these ladies are hooked on crack so they turn a trick to buy some more dope. They average about three, four tricks a day, getting between $5 to $20.”

Shortly after the sweep, the prostitutes were back on the street.