Providing ‘Safe Passage’

Kevin Brown, a pastor and retired Santa Ana police officer, started his own program that seeks to save victims of human trafficking across the county.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

In a Santa Ana parking lot, Kevin Brown, a pastor and former police officer, tells volunteers about the evening’s assignment.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Volunteers listen to Kevin Brown in a Santa Ana parking lot. Out of the group’s many missions to save women from prostitution, very few of the women have decided to leave.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Kevin Brown leads a short prayer in a Santa Ana parking lot before the group sets out on a mission.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Norma Manzo and Greg Reese work to connect with a prostitute using the Internet and a throwaway cellphone.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Greg Reese, left, president of Clear Image Investigations, shows the group one of the girls they were hoping to contact on a recent Friday night.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Greg Reese enters the hotel room of a woman he contacted through the Internet. Once inside, Reese made a 5-minute pitch to the woman to see if she was interested in leaving the business. Before he left, she let him pray with her.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Greg Reese displays an image of a woman he contacted through the Internet.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Greg Reese talks to about a dozen people who meet every other Friday night to try to rescue women engaged in prostitution.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)