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VALLEJO - The Vallejo Police Department (VPD) has partnered with the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking to bring the ReportJohn.org (RJP) program to the City of Vallejo. Community members can now report incidents of suspected commercial sex and human trafficking activity by using the platform.
ReportJohn.org is an online and mobile reporting system that allows community members to anonymously report vehicles observed in soliciting sex or attempting to engage in illicit sexual activity. The purpose of the program is to reduce illegal sex demand by educating the public on the laws and dangers of human trafficking, targeting sex buyers, increasing communication with the public, and deterring buyers with the issuance of a visibility letter.
“Our duty as a department is to help protect the most vulnerable members of our community,” Chief of Police Shawny K. Williams stated. “The ReportJohn.org platform allows us to focus our enforcement efforts and work with our community to remove the demand from our City.”
The program is now live for the City of Vallejo, and individuals suspected of such activity may be reported by visiting reportjohn.org. Potential identifying information that can be submitted online include:
- A photo of the vehicle/suspect
- License Plate Number
- Time, Date, Location of the suspected offense
- Any other relevant information
Once the report is submitted, the VPD Community Services Section works to review and vet the report. If substantiated, a “visibility letter” is issued to the registered vehicle owner indicating that their vehicle was observed in an area known to have high rates of human trafficking and commercial sex work activity. Suspected offenders are warned of the following consequences if prosecuted:
Subdivision (b) of California Penal Code Section647 makes soliciting sex a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail, not exceeding 6 months, or by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1000.00), or by both. Subdivision (k) of Penal Code Section 647 also authorizes the discretionary punishment of suspending or restricting the driver's license for up to 6 months pursuant Vehicle Code Section13201.5 for any solicitation violation under subdivision (b) of Penal Code Section 647 that is committed within 1,000 feet of a private residence with the use of a vehicle.
The department previously held a robust panel discussion during its November 2021 Virtual Community Day on the prevalent and is planning to conduct outreach with local businesses and travel industry establishments this year.
Click here to learn more: https://vallejopd.net/get_services/report_john
For media inquiries, please contact Public Information Officer, Brittany K. Jackson by email at VallejoPolicePIO@cityofvallejo.net. or by phone at (707) 651-7147.
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