mcline: Sp cq police community members
The police department is concerned with street prostitution, but they are already drawn short and limited on resources. There is only so much they do with the money, and if they are short on resources, they are unable to do what they can. They have realized that only arresting the prostitutes is not the way to go, since they are on the streets shortly after being released. They know sweeps can lead to innocent people getting arrested, which can cause problems.
2. How concerned is the community?
The community is concerned a lot more than the businesses. The community wants the drugs to be eliminated and reduced. There are some members who are not concerned about prostitution, but are concerned about the rise in drugs with syringes and needles being left laying around. The community wants to be able to shop after lunch or dark in an area, but due to the increase in prostitution activity, they know not to go to a certain area, which they believe is sad.
3. What groups are particularly concerned and why? What specific concerns are expressed?
The members who want to shop and some business members are concerned. They do not want any acts occurring in their place of business, so they only allow the prostitutes to come in and socializing, but enforcing only that. The concerns are more of the drug use with needles and syringes, while also crime occurring. They are afraid due to the homicide, more people will be afraid to come around that area, and business owners are afraid of losing business and having to close.
4. How organized and active are community members who oppose street prostitution?
They are organized and somewhat active, they have community watch for the neighborhood who report on behavior. There are also informants in areas like hotels and others to report back their findings and what is occurring. There is not much activity from the community members other than complaints about the crime and drug use.
5. What level of street prostitution are they willing to tolerate?
They are willing to tolerate the business of clients either in cars or going somewhere. But they are not tolerating the drug use at all. Some members do not care about the prostitution and those types of transactions, as long as drugs can be taken away.