alexspencer: Sp cq street prostitutes

1. Does street prostitution take only one form (e.g., female prostitutes and male clients), or are there several different forms (e.g., homosexual or transvestite prostitution)?

Central City deals primarily with female prostitutes and male clients according to university research. All interviews were conducted with female prostitutes and male johns. Homosexual and transvestite prostitution is also not covered by the Street Prostitution POP Guide.

2. What is known about the prostitutes (e.g., age, gender, race, criminal history, social service history, substance abuse history, residence)?

The typical prostitute, according to university research, is female and ranges from teenager to middle-aged. All interviewed prostitutes were female.
Prostitutes, according to social service providers, come from violent homes and may suffer from mental illnesses. Many street prostitutes in the city have some sort of drug addiction. Those with children may provide inadequate care for these children, leaving them unattended and to care for themselves.

3. Do street prostitutes commit crimes against clients (e.g., robbery or theft)?

Prostitutes have ripped off johns. A prostitution and cocaine study found that drug-dependent prostitutes were more likely to steal from their clients.

4. Are street prostitutes the victims of crime?

Prostitutes can be victimized, like being assaulted by a client who gets rough with them. The shelter for battered women has seen an increased number of street prostitutes experiencing violence by their clients. Certain clients are identified amongst prostitutes as people to avoid due to their violent actions. A counselor identifies some client-prostitute relationships as similar to domestic violence, with prostitutes suffering through physical altercations for money or drugs. A prostitute reports avoiding lower Scott Ave for its higher chances of assault.

5. How committed are prostitutes to prostitution?

Prostitutes are committed to their work, often tolerating rough treatment from clients to keep making money.

6. How committed are they to a particular location?

Prostitutes are flexible in their work location, moving to where the action is, such as for a convention or sporting event. An officer reports that men, alcohol, and drugs are the combination to attract prostitutes.

alexspencer: Sp cq sexual transactions

1. How, specifically, do street prostitutes and clients negotiate and complete sexual transactions?

Clients often pull up in a vehicle alongside a street prostitute. They will offer an amount for a service. If the prostitute agrees, they will get in the client’s vehicle to be taken to a nearby secluded location for services. Johns can also approach prostitutes in one of the local bars that the women frequent.

2. Do clients solicit prostitutes on foot or from a vehicle?

Clients solicit prostitutes primarily from their vehicle. A small percentage of negotiations between prostitutes and clients take place in online chat rooms. Some clients approach prostitutes on foot while hanging out in local bars. Most clients do not want to exit their vehicle, so the services take place parked in a dark area. However, a visibility report states that 11/25 johns were seen on foot.

3. Where do the sexual transactions take place?

Sexual transactions take place in nearby locations such as abandoned buildings, cheap hotels, and client vehicles. While some businesses, like seedy bars, allow sexual transactions in private indoor areas, others make the client and prostitute leave the establishment, such as going to the bar parking lot. Interviewees report prostitutes conducting business in gangways, alleys, and cabs.

4. Do prostitutes and clients take precautions to prevent sexually-transmitted disease?

Clients are concerned about getting a disease from prostitutes. One interviewed prostitute reports requiring clients to wear condoms. The jail booking officer states that almost all arrested prostitutes have a supply of condoms on them. However, the Department of Health states that while most prostitutes insist on condom use, drug-dependent prostitutes are less likely to practice safe sex.

alexspencer: Sp cq police community members

1. How concerned is the police department about street prostitution?

Police are not very concerned about the problem. Even when they recognize the problem, police are struggling to handle it. They do not have the resources or manpower to handle street prostitution cases with a busy workload and limited budget. An interviewed commander reports that police aim to address public perception of the problem by moving prostitutes along and keeping visible signs to a minimum. Police keep prostitution out of sight, aiming to keep it inside bars and motels and off the street.
Community members do not believe the police are helping with this problem. The city council argues that the police have done nothing to address the issue.

2. How concerned is the community?

The community is very concerned about the problem, rating it an 8.3/10 in seriousness. During a community meeting, residents expressed their unhappiness at deteriorating neighborhood conditions and the city’s response.

3. What groups are particularly concerned and why? What specific concerns are expressed?

Neighborhood groups, church groups, and residents are concerned. They do not want drug sales and strangers in their neighborhood. Current residents wish to leave the deteriorating neighborhood.
Community leaders know that the area cannot attract new business when there is a perception of crime.
The City Health Department is concerned about public safety, citing used condoms, syringes, and other paraphernalia discarded in the prostitution streets. STDs are on the rise, and a child accidentally stuck himself with a discarded syringe.

4. How organized and active are community members who oppose street prostitution?

Neighborhood groups gather at community meetings to complain to the area police commander. The First Church has mobilized, offering a self-help workshop, job training, and drug rehabilitation programs to assist with decreasing prostitution and the harms surrounding it

5. What level of street prostitution are they willing to tolerate?

Police tolerate street prostitution when it is out of sight. They can easily ignore prostitution in bars and motels, and they are satisfied when this keeps prostitution out of the public eye. Police aim to limit public concern by moving prostitution rather than resolving the problem.
Community members complain about streetwalkers much more than upper-scale prostitutes.

alexspencer: Sp cq pimps

1. Do the prostitutes work for pimps or others who profit from their income?

An interviewed prostitute reports that most prostitutes in her area do not have a pimp. Bars and drug dealers may benefit from a prostitute’s income, as they may get a cut or work with the prostitute. Web and chat room data finds that clients typically avoid prostitutes with pimps out of a desire to limit their associations in the prostitution world.

alexspencer: Sp cq environment

1. Does street prostitution take place in more than one area?

Yes, the area depends on where the prostitutes and clients want to be. Both parties identify wanting a safe area to initially meet. A prostitute reports moving to where the action is, such as a convention or sporting event. Certain areas, however, tend to have regular street prostitution. Lower Scott Avenue has become a hotspot for prostitution and panhandling, reported to be unsafe by residents.
Upper Scott Ave is not without street prostitution, but police advise prostitutes to remain in the lower blocks.
Solicitation takes place on streets, in bars, in nightclubs, by large public events, and near cab stands. Street prostitution rather than upper-scale prostitution garners the most public attention and complaints.

2. What conditions make the area(s) attractive for street prostitution?

Perceived safety and lots of potential clients make an area attractive for street prostitution. Prostitutes may hide in the shadows until a car approaches. As many johns like to remain unnoticed, streets and traffic may facilitate prostitution when the men can drive up and pull over by the women.

3. If street prostitution occurs in several areas, how are they similar and different?

According to Central City crime maps, most prostitution soliciting takes place in a few clustered areas around lower Scott Avenue. Demonstration of prostitution is more spread out, occurring along the main road but also within a 5-block radius of the solicitation zones. An older resident states that the prostitution stroll moved around 30 years ago. The upper side of town was redeveloped, and the lower side of Scott Ave began to show decay with businesses other than bars and liquor stores leaving.

4. What area businesses are harmed by the presence of street prostitution?

The presence of crime and evidence of streetwalkers deters business to the area, harming existing and prospective local business. Residents report many people and stores leaving the lower Scott Ave area in the past few years, with the area taking a turn for the worse. Business owners report that customers are uncomfortable coming to their establishments when such activity is around. Lower Scott Ave slipped further into economic decline, now supporting more drug houses and open-air drug markets. Hotels and motels in the area adapted to this decline by catering to weekly renters, allowing groups of homeless citizens to share a room, and advertising room rates by the hour.

5. What area businesses support and/or benefit from street prostitution?

Local bars may allow prostitutes to hang out, and some allow prostitutes to use a private bar area for services, in exchange for payment. A client reports that the bartender at The Team Sports bar can call for a prostitute to arrive. Prostitutes have made arrangements with the Secrete Inn to furnish rooms to the same girl each night. The hotel profited from renting the same room several times a night.

6. Is the street prostitution market in each area old or new? Has it changed in size recently? If so, why?

The prostitution market appears to have grown, with areas like lower Scott Avenue being recently identified as unsafe due to the growing presence of prostitutes and other unseemly individuals. An older resident states that the prostitution stroll moved to lower Scott Ave around 30 years ago when the upper side of town was redeveloped.

7. Do street prostitution areas have a reputation as being dangerous or safe for clients?

Street prostitution areas are known to be secluded from the general public, thus safe from families and important others learning of clients’ activities. However, clients know to be wary in street prostitution areas as there have been robberies and assaults against clients.

8. Are street prostitution areas isolated, or busy with other activities?

Street prostitution zones are also home to drug houses and panhandlers. The solicitation areas are concentrated around businesses such as bars. Customers can solicit prostitutes as the bars close. The area still has some popular restaurants.

9. What other types of crime occur in the area? How much is related to street prostitution?

Residents report hearing about college kids being robbed and assaulted in the prostitution area on Scott Ave. Businesses on lower Scott Ave report employees’ cars being broken into in the early morning hours, with small electronics and spare change stolen. This may be related to prostitution as the area has declined with the growth of unseemly activity.

10. If street prostitution were forced out of a target area, where would you predict it might reappear?

Community members stated that banning prostitutes from one area only moved them to another area, not eliminating the problem. Another similarly suited area (appears safe to prostitutes and clients, not in the public eye or around those the clients wish to avoid) would likely take the place of the target area. A nearby police department officer reports that a crackdown on Scott Ave leads to increased prostitution in his area. Greater measures would have to be taken to eliminate street prostitution rather than just divert it.

alexspencer: Sp cq drugs

1. To what extent are street prostitutes, clients and pimps engaged in the sale or use of drugs?

Prostitutes are aware of where drugs are sold and, according to clients, can direct individuals where to buy drugs. Prostitutes may lower their prices out of a desperate desire to make money for drugs. Many prostitutes are reported to be drug-addicted.

2. Are street prostitution and street drug markets near each other?

Yes, clients report prostitutes easily found near drug houses. The City Health Department reports many used syringes found on the prostitution streets.

3. Do street prostitutes exchange sex directly for drugs?

Yes, clients report exchanging drugs directly for sexual activity.

alexspencer: Sp cq current response

1. What is the police department's current policy in dealing with street prostitution?

The current police response is to move prostitutes out of the public eye. Arrests related to prostitution have increased in the past 6 months, but most of the police work involves diversion rather than prevention or deterrence.
Other (real) cities have focused on providing resources to prostitutes with a victim-centered approach. Many have shifted away from enforcement and toward assistance. Citations may be geared towards clients to decrease solicitation of prostitution.

2. What is the prosecutor's current policy regarding prostitution-related offenses?

Police argue that the courts are not taking action against arrested prostitutes, and they are often back on the street the next day or hours after arrest. The jail booking officer states that the girls arrested for prostitution complete some paperwork, sign a summons promising to appear in court, and are released. Police state that the women cannot be charged, only arrested.
Other (real) cities have enforced prostitution offenses with a focus on preventing and combating trafficking. Others have dismissed prostitution cases to focus efforts on more serious crimes related to prostitution, such as trafficking, pimping, and exploitation. Some policies may encourage prostitutes to report crimes against them by not arresting or charging them for prostitution.

3. What are the typical sentences handed out to those who are convicted?

Prostitution can be punished as a misdemeanor with around 6 months of jail time or a fine. Sentencing can be rare or short, depending on the area. Repeat offenses may incur mandatory minimum jail sentences.

4. Do the prostitutes and clients complete those sentences?

Sentences are typically completed when handed out, but some misdemeanors are not prosecuted. Certain cities may offer diversion programs aimed at reducing recidivism as alternatives to sentencing.

5. What effect, if any, does the imposition of a sentence have on subsequent involvement in prostitution?

Stronger penalties may deter repeat offenders. Short sentences or fines may only minimally impact subsequent involvement. Diversion programs have demonstrated recidivism amongst participants.

6. What responses do police officers use, other than arrest and prosecution?

Officers divert prostitution out of the public eye, off the streets, and into motels and bars. When seen in nicer neighborhoods, officers may encourage prostitutes to return to lower Scott Ave.
In other (real) cities, police may provide resources to prostitutes to help them with drug addiction and employment resources. Johns may complete diversion programs rather than being charged.

7. Are any of these responses especially effective?

These responses seem ineffective as prostitution rates grow. Arrests of prostitutes and johns have increased in the past year, but the problem has grown exponentially, and arrests are small compared to actual activity. Calls for police service and complaints to officials related to prostitution continue to increase.
Diversion programs in real cities have demonstrated recidivism among client participants.

8. What social, health and substance abuse treatment services are available to assist prostitutes?

Rehabilitation centers, shelters for battered women, and social workers are resources that prostitutes could use. The First Church runs a self-help workshop and offers job training and drug rehabilitation programs. However, churches can have limited resources and only assist a small number of people. Some outreach centers for abused or drug addicted women cannot assist prostitutes. Certain small operations do not receive funding for this type of client.

9. Are prostitutes using available services?

The service providers report many local prostitutes utilizing services, but some prostitutes state they were unaware of the social services and resources available to them. A social worker reports that prostitutes may spend little time in drug treatment facilities, only coming in after an overdose and quickly leaving to return to the street. Many assaults are left unreported.
Prostitutes can also be afraid to seek help. They may not want their situation reported to a welfare caseworker. Limited resources may also be available to women due to their position as prostitutes.

alexspencer: Sp cq clients johns

1. What is known about the clients (e.g., age, race, occupation, socio-economic status, marital status, criminal history, residence)?

According to university research, the typical client is a middle-aged man. All interviewed clients were male. Many have families, and some may be of important political or social status. They usually drive to lower Scott Ave, not residing in the area themselves.

2. How committed are clients to prostitution?

The interviewed clients appear like they could be deterred; they are not willing to solicit prostitution at all costs. Prostitutes report clients being easily frightened when something feels off. Clients want to meet prostitutes in a safe area, they do not want to be recognized, and they feel more comfortable seeing regular prostitutes that they recognize. However, some clients are addicted, according to prostitutes. Even if they are deterred one night, they are certain to eventually return.

3. What groups are particularly concerned and why? What specific concerns are expressed?

Clients are concerned about others finding out that they solicit prostitutes. Some clients are concerned about contracting STDs, seeking out regular prostitutes that they recognize.

4. How committed are they to soliciting prostitutes on the street or in a particular area?

Clients report staying in a typical area that appears safe, such as the main thoroughfare, when soliciting a prostitute. Prostitutes report staying on the main street or around bars.

Ana-Marie123: Sp cq street prostitutes

1. Does street prostitution take only one form (e.g., female prostitutes and male clients), or are there several different forms (e.g., homosexual or transvestite prostitution)?

There can be several form but it is predominately females.

2. What is known about the prostitutes (e.g., age, gender, race, criminal history, social service history, substance abuse history, residence)?

The tend to be females and have substance abuse history.

3. Do street prostitutes commit crimes against clients (e.g., robbery or theft)?

It appears the more drug reliant the prostitute, the more likely they will rob a client.

4. Are street prostitutes the victims of crime?

Yes, they tend to be assaulted, raped, or robbed.

5. How committed are prostitutes to prostitution?

They rely on prostitution to survive or to fund their drug addiction.

6. How committed are they to a particular location?

n/a

Ana-Marie123: Sp cq clients johns

1. What is known about the clients (e.g., age, race, occupation, socio-economic status, marital status, criminal history, residence)?

They tend to be repeat clients. Looks for regulars or do drive-bys to see who is available.

2. How committed are clients to prostitution?

They appear to seek it regularly.

3. What groups are particularly concerned and why? What specific concerns are expressed?

College students. Middle age men

4. How committed are they to soliciting prostitutes on the street or in a particular area?

They tend to check streets even if they prefer a particular area

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