Zixi: Sp cq police community members

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

The number of arrests is largely disproportionate to the number of complaints. Such low arrest counts may be because some of the prostitution was held in-door like "high-class escort services, health clubs, or massage".

2. How concerned is the community?

The complaint counts progressively increased in the past 12 months, from 28 calls to 141 calls.

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

The targets (clients) who engaged in prostitution can also turn into the offenders. Not only are the lost cases increasing, but this unwritten rule and phenomenon make these streets easier for the targets (clients) to harass women who are not engaged in prostitution, causing annoyance and accosting, and even indecent exposure.

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

Community members are organized and active in opposing street prostitution.The Central City Business Owners Association conducted an informal citizen survey to express public concern. Citizens view the problem as severe (rated 8.3 out of 10), and a majority (52%) demand a quick solution, threatening not to re‑elect the mayor if none is found.

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

The community has very little tolerance for the current level of street prostitution and expects decisive action from local leaders. Citizens rated the problem of street prostitution at 8.3 out of 10, where 10 represents the worst. This indicates they view it as a severe and unacceptable issue. What's more, a decisive majority of 52% of respondents stated they would not re-elect the mayor unless a solution is found quickly, showing they are not willing to tolerate the current level of street prostitution and demand immediate action. And only 40% were willing to give the administration time to develop a plan, and 8% were unsure, which further underscores the low level of tolerance among the community.

Zixi: Sp cq pimps

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

It's not universal. Some operate independently, especially in decriminalized or regulated environments, where they can retain their earnings and work without third-party control. However, in illegal and unregulated contexts, such as street prostitution, the risk of exploitation by pimps and other profiteers is significantly higher.

Zixi: Sp cq clients johns

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

name and reason of arrest

2. How committed are clients to prostitution?

They showed direct engagement or intent in the prostitution activities. Mostly were arrested for patronizing or being clients.

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

Local communities and neighborhoods. Firstly, groups of so-called offenders are standing on the streets, looking for their targets. And even the residents showed concern about the issue of prostitution, but some owners still allow ongoing criminal activities to take place in their bars.

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

It seems like they can easily fall into one.

mbmccoy2: Sp cq current response

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

The police department's current policy appears to be reactive. They address street prostitution as they see it, however, it is not a major priority for the department.

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

They are considered low-level offenses by the prosecutors.They are typical issued a summons promising to return to court and released.

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

They are typically sentenced to complete drug treatment programs.

4. Do the prostitutes and clients complete those sentences?

No.

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

It does not appear to have a major effect. The pattern of street prostitution still persists.

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

Police can increase foot patrol in the area, give verbal warnings, hold community meetings, conduct homeless outreach and conduct crime prevention surveys.

7. Are any of these responses especially effective?

Increasing police presence in the area could address street prostitution that occurs outdoors and in vehicles.

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

Subsidized government aid programs are available to assist prostitutes.

9. Are prostitutes using available services?

According to a booking officer at the city jail, many of the prostitutes have prescription antibiotics, supply of condoms and ID cards for subsidized government programs. So it appears that prostitutes are using available services.

mbmccoy2: Sp cq environment

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

Yes. Although street prostitution is clustered on Scott Avenue, the coverage area spans several blocks east/west and north/south.

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

The concentration of liquor store, nightclubs/bars and motels seem to provide conditions that make the area attractive for street prostitution. Additionally, there is a major roadway (Scott Avenue) that makes it ideal to pick up prostitutes and deserted business parking lots with low lighting.

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

The areas are similar in that they all contain liquor stores, nightclubs/bars and motels. The locations differ only in street numbers since they have similar characteristics.

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

Businesses that are visited by families (i.e., shopping malls) are harmed by the presence of street prostitution.

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

Liquor stores, nightclubs/bars and motels support and benefit from street prostitution.

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

Street prostitution has been an ongoing problem in each area. However, it has recently increased. For example, last month there were a total of 141 calls for service related to prostitution in the target area compared to 56 calls for service for the previous six months.

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

Not only do street prostitution areas have a reputation as being dangerous or safe clients, there are measurable impacts of public safety. According police crime statistics, the number of robberies, assaults and thefts from vehicles doubled last month as compared to the previous six months.

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

Based on crime statistics these areas are busy with other activities.

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

Robberies, assaults and thefts from vehicles are the other types of crime that occurs in the area. A majority of the crime appears to be related to street prostitution.

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

If it is forced out of the target area, I would predict street prostitution to be displaced to other area of the city. Particular attention should be paid to those areas that have a concentration of liquor stores, nightclubs/bars and motels.

mbmccoy2: Sp cq police community members

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

Based on the qualitative interview of Commander Rule, street prostitution is not a major priority for the police department as a result of limited manpower.

2. How concerned is the community?

According to several community leaders, some business owners and local residents, street prostitution is a major issue in the Scott Avenue area. They are very concerned.

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

The groups that are particularly concerned about the street prostitution issue are community leaders (i.e., Alderperson Bets, President Howell of the Lower Scott Shopping District), some business owners (i.e., Ken Harrison, owner of Crafty Furniture Store) and local residents (i.e., Wanda Fops) have voiced concerns that the area is less safe. This causes businesses to leave the area and results in less economic prosperity. Additionally, they expressed that the police response to the problem is inadequate.

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

Outside of Alderperson Bets, there appears to be limited organization among the community members that oppose street prostitution.

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

Some business owners that appear to benefit from street prostitution (i.e., liquor stores, motels, nightclubs, etc.) are not overly concerned about the issue and are willing to tolerate it. Other business owners, community leaders and local residents seem to acknowledge that there will be some level of street prostitution but they would like to see a greater police response to tackle the issue.

mbmccoy2: 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 a Central University study, the typical client is a middle-aged male. There are reports of college students soliciting prostitutes but that is unconfirmed.

2. How committed are clients to prostitution?

It appears that clients are to committed to prostitution as long as the opportunity exists along Scott Avenue.

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

The community leaders are particularly concerned about college students possibly being involved in soliciting.

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

According to Central University research, clients appear to be committed to soliciting prostitutes via vehicles.

mbmccoy2: Sp cq pimps

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

They mainly work for themselves but some work for pimps.

mbmccoy2: Sp cq drugs

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

All three (street prostitutes, clients and pimps) engage in the sale or use of drugs during prostitution transactions.

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

According to the crime maps, street prostitution and street drug markets often overlap each other.

3. Do street prostitutes exchange sex directly for drugs?

Yes, they sometimes do.

mbmccoy2: 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)?

According to Central University research, the street prostitution problem in Central City appears to mainly involve female prostitutes and male clients.

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

According to Central University research, a large majority of the prostitutes are female from teenagers to middle-aged women. They are disproportionately from communities of color that are disenfranchised. Many have an extensive history of substance abuse, criminal history, and social service history.

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

Some street prostitutes do commit crimes such as robbery or theft against clients.

4. Are street prostitutes the victims of crime?

Yes, they often are victims of rape, robbery or theft.

5. How committed are prostitutes to prostitution?

Very committed. They are often repeat offenders

6. How committed are they to a particular location?

They tend to stick to the same location until it is no loner desirable.

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