Jorja Leap assesses a new presecutors tool--anti gang statutes:

From the Voice of San Diego:

"San Diego prosecutors have begun accusing local pimps of working for gangs, saying that prostitution is being used to strengthen a gang's power and presence in the community.

In four recent cases, prosecutors have successfully argued for an additional gang penalty under law enforcement's long-held belief that prostitution is the latest criminal enterprise for street gangs, much like drug dealing was for the previous generation...A number of researchers in the field remain skeptical of the connection. Jorja Leap, a sociologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, said she's been working with gang members for 30 years and has only known of only one or two that were pimps.

 

"I'm fascinated that they are doing this in San Diego," she said.