Detective Wilson

Many courts order prostitutes and clients to stay out of specifically defined areas where street prostitution is prevalent, as a condition of either bail or probation. This practice is commonly referred to as "mapping" offenders out of areas. This practice may, however, displace prostitutes to more remote areas outside the prohibited zone, areas which may prove more hazardous to the prostitutes.

As 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.

Many property owners unwittingly support street prostitution because they do not appreciate how their business practices enable it to flourish. You can remind them of their legal obligations and provide them and their employees with specific training to help them prevent their properties from being used for prostitution.

Enforcing laws prohibiting prostitution usually requires undercover police officers to pose as clients to gather the necessary evidence, which can be difficult to obtain from street-savvy prostitutes. Enforcing prostitution laws against clients typically requires the police to pose as prostitutes to obtain evidence. Some police agencies still do not have enough female officers to conduct effective solicitation enforcement campaigns. Moreover, decoy arrests of clients are open to legal entrapment defenses if officers are not careful.