OPD News:
Targeted OPD Investigations Lead to 20 Arrests in Two Weeks
With January designated as National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month, the Oakland Police Department (OPD) increased enforcement along International Boulevard. OPD’s VICE and Commercial Exploitation Unit (VICE/CEU) officers, patrol, and the FBI are working together on targeted operations. Their ongoing initiative includes conducting outreach to reduce human trafficking, holding sex buyers accountable, and implementing safety improvements along International Boulevard.
Over the last two weeks, we’ve arrested 20 individuals, nearly two-thirds of whom are not from Oakland. On January 22, 2026, four men from the cities of El Cerrito, Concord, Walnut Creek, and Richmond were arrested for solicitation of prostitution.
On January 20, 2026, OPD arrested four men, two from Oakland, one from San Leandro, and one from Hayward, for solicitation of prostitution. Additionally, two San Leandro residents were arrested for loitering with intent to solicit prostitution, and an officer towed a suspected sex buyer's vehicle.
On January 16, 2026, three men, two from Oakland and one from Richmond, were arrested for loitering with intent to solicit prostitution.
On January 13, 2026, four men, three from Hayward and one from Alameda, were arrested for solicitation of prostitution. Three Oakland residents were also arrested for loitering with intent to solicit prostitution.
Since the start of the year, with California Assembly Bill 379 (AB 379) in effect, OPD staff received training on the new law and are now equipped to make more arrests for this crime. The law provides clear guidelines for enforcing loitering for prostitution, allowing officers to take swift, targeted action and strengthen community safety.
Through these enforcement efforts, OPD demonstrates its continued commitment to addressing human trafficking. OPD will continue collaborating with law enforcement officials and community stakeholders, making more arrests to disrupt commercial sexual exploitation. OPD strives to support and enhance public safety for residents in impacted areas.
If you have any information about human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation, please call the Human Trafficking hotline at (510) 238-2373.
