SJ Combats Influx Of Prostitutes By Suing Alleged Hooker Hotel
SAN JOSE (KCBS) - San Jose has gone to court to close a downtown hotel that city officials allege has become a haven for prostitutes from the East Bay.
A lawsuit filed by the San Jose City Attorney's Office claims activities related to prostitution regularly take place at the Hotel Elan on the 1200 block of South First Street have become a nuisance.
"We know that there are particular locations where there's a lot of repeat prostitution activity. We've seen a real spike in that activity over the last nine to 12 months, and it's coming from other parts of the Bay Area," said City Councilman San Liccardo, who represents downtown.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
Liccardo said San Jose, a city with a reputation for relatively little violence, has seen an influx of hookers from other parts of the Bay Area, and cited a recent sweep that resulted in more than 30 arrests.
"What we're hearing often from arrestees," he said, "is that they feel safer. There's less violence in San Jose than many other communities."
Another goal of the lawsuit, Liccardo said, was to send a message that San Jose does not tolerate prostitution, particularly in a hotel just a mile south of the McEnery Convention Center.
The manager of the Hotel Elan declined to comment on the allegations.
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