Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County with approximately 136,000 residents.  It is located just northeast of Los Angeles, abutting Glendale. Prostitution activity has been well-documented within the county, and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates results in complaints to law enforcement agencies from residents and businesses. Prostitution activity has been well-documented in the city and surrounding communities, and throughout LA County. This activity and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates results in complaints to law enforcement agencies from residents and businesses. Among the more serious crimes associated with the local commercial sex market is sex trafficking.

Consumer level demand provides the revenue stream for all prostitution and sex trafficking, and has therefore been targeted by local law enforcement agencies as a strategy for prevention and response. In response to complaints from the community, the Pasadena Police Department has conducted periodic reverse stings. Vehicles of the arrested men have been seized during some operations. Web-based stings have also been conducted.  Officers from the Pasadena Police Department participated in a 2007 sting that arrested 37 people in an online sex sting that targeted operations in Pasadena, East Pasadena, Rosemead, Monrovia, San Gabriel, Alhambra and Monterey Park.

Those arrested for charges relating to solicitation for prostitution have been required to attend AIDS awareness classes and be tested for HIV.  Officers from the Pasadena Police Department have investigated the possibility of developing a “john school” program in the city, but the effort stalled during the economic downturn in the late 2000s when the decline in police department resources limited their capacity to conduct reverse stings that are necessary to generate participants for a john school.