Detective Allen
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This method cost 1%.
“We can’t change these women; all we can do is arrest them. It’s the court that needs to do more. Most of the time, the prostitutes are back on the street the day after we book them. My unit has arrested some of these women over thirty times, and they’re still working the streets. Finding the prostitute is easy -- we just go to the areas that support this kind of activity. We work mostly in the lower blocks of Scott Avenue. This area has a reputation for prostitution, and the local bars support the trade. If things are slow in this area, or my guys are making a lot of arrests, the girls sometimes move up Scott Avenue or into another neighborhood. Most of the time, if a girl moves out of the area, the marked units end up getting a call. The other neighborhoods won’t tolerate that behavior.”
Response Revealed
Serve restraining orders/civil injunctions against habitual prostitutes.
Show/Hide DetailsIn several jurisdictions, the police have coordinated with merchants whose business is negatively affected by street prostitution to obtain restraining orders against prostitutes, prohibiting them from engaging in specific behavior within a specific area. In San Bernardino, California, certain existing municipal codes have been incorporated into court-ordered civil injunctions against known prostitutes.
Violations of the restraining orders result in jail time and fines that exceed the usual penalties. You should consult with legal counsel about the requirements for obtaining restraining orders. It may also take a lot of time and effort to obtain the documentation necessary for a restraining order.
Response Revealed
Enforce zoning, nuisance abatement and business license regulations against properties used for prostitution.
Show/Hide DetailsAs noted previously, street prostitution markets depend on other businesses to support them. The police and other enforcement agencies can exert pressure on those businesses to discourage their support of street prostitution by enforcing civil laws and business regulations. Some communities prohibit motels and hotels from renting rooms for short periods (i.e., at hourly rates), and require them to record guests' identities through positive proof of identification, thus discouraging their use by prostitutes and clients. Zoning regulations that restrict the sorts of businesses that support street prostitution, such as adult entertainment, can be effective. Zoning restrictions have been key in the major redevelopment of Times Square in New York City, where street prostitution has significantly declined. The police and private parties can file nuisance abatement actions against businesses that support prostitution. You should get advice and support from legal counsel to pursue these options.
