Amerie_03: Sp cq clients johns

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

Most of this information is not available. I can only assume that they are middle aged. Though later on 1 or 2 community members seems dot have history with soliciting prostitution. They were college aged. At least three clients were arrest for patronizing prostitutes.

2. How committed are clients to prostitution?

It seems to be something that they often do. They already have their dislikes and likes set. They already have prostitutes who are the "regulars" ones. And some already have a routine they follow.

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

When it comes stop clients those that have some type of attachment whether be due to friends, family, workers, etc. They seem to be afraid of being found out by their circle.

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

They tend to like going to the same areas. Only when there isn't do they decide dot move towards other areas. That only for some as some tend to stick to certain area they like.

rickar20: 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)?

Yes, there are different types of prostitution and biological females are not the only people who can promote services.

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

Information for services providers such as family services and shelter advocates stated that prostitutes often come from violent and unsafe homes where they are forced to prostitute to make money for their families. They are often addicted to drugs which also fuels their need to work because they work to fuel their addiction as well. More often than not, the prostitutes are leaving their children at home to work the streets, creating even more unsafe living conditions.

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

Yes, street prostitutes can rob or steal from clients.

4. Are street prostitutes the victims of crime?

Yes, prostitutes can also be the victims of crime such as robbery and assault.

5. How committed are prostitutes to prostitution?

Prostitutes are often very committed to prostitution because they fear the reality is that there is no way out, or their additions to drugs are so heavy that they cannot pull themselves out. Unsafe home conditions may also make them feel stuck. Their lack of faith and trust in law enforcement does not motivate them to try leaving and starting over, and with a lack of strong support systems to enforce this and hold them accountable it is harder for them to be convinced to leave.

6. How committed are they to a particular location?

Like the clients, there seemed to be a sense of needing familiarity and a way to build trust to know a location is okay to promote themselves at. Additionally, if an area becomes to "seedy" based on violent johns or drug use, they will go to a different area to avoid being harmed or arrested.

rickar20: Sp cq sexual transactions

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

Discussions can take place on the street where a client goes to pick up a prostitute. If they are on terms the prostitute will join them in their vehicle or find another location.

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

Both, it depends where the solicitation takes place. If they are on the main strip it may most likely be in a vehicle and if it is on foot they may be already hanging out at a local bar or a bar tender calls up a prostitute for a potential client.

3. Where do the sexual transactions take place?

These transactions can take place in cars, hotels, bar bathrooms, abandoned areas or abandoned lots.

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

The information observed stated that most prostitutes state they will not engage in services with men unless they wear a condom, however the medical reports for the last month have suggested there are more STIs in younger folks than before.

rickar20: Sp cq police community members

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

The police department seems like they are concerned with prostitution but they are not concerned enough to prioritize it over other concerns.

2. How concerned is the community?

The interviews with residents stated conflicting concerns based on their willingness to engage in the activity or turn a blind eye, or to choose to only visit certain areas during certain times of the day. One community member mentioned that in some areas they have to clean up condoms and syringes in the mornings before their kids go outside to play because one got poked with a needle before.

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

The groups of people concerned are both residents and business owners. They are concerned that it is a never-ending cycle and that police are not addressing the root cause.

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

This was not reviewed in my portion of the analysis.

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

This was not reviewed in my portion of the analysis. Based on a few other interviews, they are not motivated to call police due to their lack of sufficient responses.

rickar20: Sp cq pimps

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

Of the interviews from the prostitutes, several officers, and other service providers, there was little to no mention about pimps. Via review for web forums and online chats, clients did not want to engage with females who were being handled by a pimp, and wanted to deal with the female only. This does not mean there are no pimps involved, as the prostitutes may fear mentioning having a handler and accept charges without mentioning their name to avoid retaliation.

rickar20: Sp cq environment

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

Yes, the street prostitution does take place in more than one area, however Lower Scott appeared to have the most activity.

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

The conditions that make the areas attractive for street prostitution are abandoned areas or less populated areas with visibility to the public, as well as little law enforcement presence. Additionally, public areas that allow prostitution such as hotels that have costs fixed to support hourly rates, bars that have connections with prostitutes and allow them to loiter and connect with customers also can be attractive for this offense.

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

Some areas may have more connections to drugs and drug houses which in that scenario could cause more threats of violence against the prostitutes or fights in general. If the areas are closer to the public eye, the acts of service may be more discrete. In areas in the middle, such as warehouses and other dark business-like areas, there could be more drug use combined with the exchange of services but less violence.

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

The local business owners of places like the furniture store or engineering plant had made statements that they know clients do not want to come to them in the evening because of being harassed on the street, or because of the littering of condoms and syringes around the buildings.

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

The local bars and hotels appear to benefit from street prostitution. The bars allow the prostitutes to hang out around the area because they know their young customers are interested and it brings in bar revenue. The hotels get more money from more prostitutes using rooms for hourly or daily rates.

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

Based on interviews from veterans on the force, for 30+ years this activity has been taking place on Scott street but has escalated within the last month more than usual. The lack of enforcement, prosecution, and manpower have contributed to the increase.

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

These areas have a reputation of being dangerous for clients because there is no way to predict what may happen. A prostitute can rob a client, a client can rob a prostitute, or someone in the area associated with drugs can pick a fight with a client.

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

The areas for street prostitution are both isolated and busy with other activities. Some are in abandoned areas or in less public areas like warehouse lots, and some are on a main strip with people around and bars that non-purchasing customers go to.

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

There was an increase in theft from vehicles noted during this same time frame, but there was less supporting evidence to say it was a direct correlation to prostitution. There is a heavy amount of drug use and drug offenses in the area as well, which could be considered separate problems from prostitution.

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

Depending on the enforcement of the department in different areas, it is not as easy to say. If there are other businesses in neighboring towns that would welcome the extra customer base, it may be easy for it to pick up there. It may also pick up in different neighborhoods versus being out closer to more public areas.

rickar20: Sp cq current response

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

Based on review, the police department's current policy in dealing with street prostitution is that they simply acknowledge that they are not dealing with it. The Commander for the Scott Ave. District stated that they simply do not have the manpower to reduce prostitution efforts, and that they know it is an increasing issue. They currently try to move the prostitutes out of the public's eye in order to make a temporary fix, which is essentially just telling them to get off of the main strip, but not exactly ticketing them for solicitation or loitering.

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

Based on the comments from interviews with police staff, the officers have little motivation to arrest and charge prostitutes with prostitution related offenses because the prosecutor often reduces or dismisses the charges all together.

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

The typical sentences handed out to those who are convicted are some type of probation that is very loosely followed up on. The officer at the station stated that the prostitutes to not post bail often either because they sign a release stating they will show up in court. Interviews suggest this is not enforced to the extent that it could be.

4. Do the prostitutes and clients complete those sentences?

Interviews with the prostitutes suggest that the sentences are light and often not completed. The reduction of charges may suggest why these are less often to be completed.

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

The imposition of a sentence on subsequent involvement in prostitution can act as a deterrent for those who are considering either promoting themselves for prostitution or those who are soliciting prostitutes. If a sentence is often carried out and significant enough to cause someone to consider not doing it, then the imposition is more threatening, however if there is no example set for it being followed-up on, then there is no imposition that is threatening enough.

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

Interviews suggested that officers tended to just shuffle the prostitutes around to keep them out of sight. However, there are sting operations that have taken place at the hotels where prostitution is investigated and arrests are made.

7. Are any of these responses especially effective?

The responses do not appear to be effective because if a department puts together a sting operation only for charges to be dropped and the girls and johns back on the street the next day or week, there is no incentive for officers to try harder with little man power and more reward for the prostitutes and their clients.

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

Services such as rehabilitation for drug users are available for prostitutes, shelters for them to live in if they need to escape their home life, and other family services to help form a plan for them to leave the streets. Often these services come into play after an arrest is made and the prostitutes want to get help versus going to jail. Treatment clinics for health needs such as STIs are also available.

9. Are prostitutes using available services?

It would appear that there is an underreported number of prostitutes who need these types of services because they will not often come forward and say they need them independently, versus having to do them to avoid jail time.

rickar20: Sp cq drugs

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

The prostitutes have a connection with those who are selling drugs and may often use them as well. If a john is looking for a prostitute, she may be using drugs and then involve him as well, and the opposite is also a factor, that a John may be looking for drugs and take up an offer from a prostitute as a perk for the opportunity of them being there. From the data observed, there was no direct mention of pimps.

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

Yes, these two are near each other. The sales can take place an abandoned areas but may also take place in other populated areas where sales are not dismissed but not permitted, just overlooked, like at the local bars on the lower block of Scott.

3. Do street prostitutes exchange sex directly for drugs?

Yes, based on interview responses from both prostitutes and Johns, an exchange of services can be in order for drugs versus money.

rickar20: Sp cq clients johns

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

There was little to know information specifically about the Johns who had been interviewed and arrest records/data reviewed did not provide such information, however a few college kids in the area had mentioned that they would pay for prostitution services and keep an eye out for regulars in an attempt to not get caught. An additional mention by a prostitute in an interview stated that some of her clients had been more well-known and higher power individuals. Clients have all typically said that their main concerns are getting caught and try to not go to unsafe areas or solicit girls who appear to be new. Some clients have been noted to be employees of the night shift at Mason Engineering located at 300 Scott, as well as younger males who visit bars in the area, such as Lucky's bar. The Johns also do not only seek out prostitution, however they may see it as an extra perk of being in the area for drug sales.

2. How committed are clients to prostitution?

Some clients appear to be committed to prostitution because of the ease of access, convenience of location, and lack of guardianship to enforce otherwise. If the clients are able to find areas that are rather secluded or promote prostitution, then generally they do not stray away from the opportunity. There is a fear of being caught and being seen, which may deter some, however if there is a lack of management at locations and handlers for the Johns, then the opportunity for them to commit to soliciting the females is fairly easy.

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

The local businesses that operate in worlds outside of the hotel industry or bar/ clubs appear to be more concerned. They have reported incidents of seeing females unconscious in nearby areas, condoms littered on their loading docks, and their clients being harassed and solicited while approaching their businesses. These owners are nervous it makes them look bad and drives business away. Furthermore, some business employees who work nightshifts may solicit these prostitutes on their break, which encourages loitering at legit businesses who do not want to promote or allow such business on their property.

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

Depending on the John, they seem more comfortable about soliciting them in the main strip because then that female is perceived to less likely to be a cop, however they also do not want to over commit to this, as there could be surveillance by law enforcement. If police presence is heavy, they are more deterred. Their exposure is at less of a risk in a more secluded area, or an area that does not discourage it nor promote it, such as what has been said about Lucky's bar.

RAtkinsonMSU25: Sp cq drugs

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

It was found that narcotics and prostitution are both connected in the same areas of the city. This appears to be an ongoing and repeated problem.

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

As noted above, both the issues are in close proximity to each other, therefore share a correlation.

3. Do street prostitutes exchange sex directly for drugs?

During one interview, a customer mentioned exchanging narcotics for sexual favors.

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