Fresno's troublesome Parkway Drive is cleaning up its act. Historically, the frontage road along Highway 99 in southwest Fresno has been riddled with prostitution and other criminal activity.
However, thanks to the teamwork of police and business owners problems have been drastically reduced.
It’s all part of Operation Inn Keeper, which police launched earlier this year. The focus was put on Parkway Drive between Belmont and Olive. For years it's been an eye sore, but now stakeholders here are taking measures to make it eye catching.
Just three months ago, you didn't have to look far to find a prostitute walking along motel drive. However today, the scenery has changed for the better. Police say back in May up to 25 prostitutes were working the streets each day. Now that number is down to about 6.
“We feel very good about that. We're going to restore this area to what it was before,” said Layla Forstedt, President of the Fresno - Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Forstedt is determined to increase tourism so she's joined forces with the group, Roeding Area Council. It’s a combination of business owners and police officers which meet every two weeks. They discuss moves to make the area more inviting.
“Prostitution is one of those crimes that attract other crimes,” said Detective Raymond Eddy of the Fresno Police Dept.
To get rid of prostitution, the council has posted signs to deter bad behavior and many motel managers are being more cautious as to who they are renting to.
Allan Hu of Days Inn believes their efforts are working.
“I’ve seen more people telling their families to stay here and I think that's a great thing,” said Allan Hu, Manager of Days Inn.
Tara Hamilton opened Organic Fresno back in April. She decided to put her vegetarian restaurant here because the location off 99 is a great opportunity to grab tourists.
“People in Fresno don't appreciate that rural agriculture because they're surrounded by it. But people coming from L.A. and the city are fascinated with it and want to connect with farmers,” said Tara Hamilton, owner of Organic Fresno.
So with the clean-up successfully underway, the question remains, where have all those prostitutes gone?
“They’re probably going to areas of less resistance and in some cases, maybe out of Fresno,” said Detective Eddy.
A goal down the road is to build a California Welcome Center along parkway drive. It’s a one-stop shop for tourists that helps guide them to local attractions. Merced and Tulare already have centers.