gabrielntrejo125: Sp cq current response
1. What is the police department's current policy in dealing with street prostitution?
More arrests are being made, particularly for prostitution; however, there is little patrol presence on lower Scott Avenue, which has been moved to upper Scott Avenue. Police say that those arrested get very quick releases with no real deterrence most are back in the community within 2 days.
2. What is the prosecutor's current policy regarding prostitution-related offenses?
The specifics are somewhat vague but there appears to be a greater inclination towards a summons/release in lieu of detention as opposed to holding a person in jail. For example, prostitutes generally do not post bond, but simply sign a summons and are then quickly released. No mention was made of severe prosecutions or entering into a plea agreement.
3. What are the typical sentences handed out to those who are convicted?
There is no specific number or length of sentences documented by the module. Some officers feel that criminal charges are too harsh, with some discussing the possibility of community service as an alternative to incarceration/fines; however, these discussions do not provide any information about what actually would be given out.
4. Do the prostitutes and clients complete those sentences?
There does not appear to be any evidence regarding completion rates. The focus of this system is to get users back on the street and off of a sentence as quickly as possible, therefore this reduces or eliminates the time to serve in a jail/prison facility for that individual.
5. What effect, if any, does the imposition of a sentence have on subsequent involvement in prostitution?
Almost none. Officers note prostitutes are "back on the street within 48 hours" after arrest. Deterrent value wears off quickly; no lasting reduction from enforcement or sentencing.
6. What responses do police officers use, other than arrest and prosecution?
Giving informal warnings and threats in order to get them to quit, developing a rapport so they feel comfortable reporting acts of violence and pimps, sending out lists of "bad dates" to prostitutes, and having a visible patrol presence and patrol presence. However creating visibility/patrolling someone's location has been down significantly over the past year due to budget constraints.
7. Are any of these responses especially effective?
The use of informal threats of family exposure has demonstrated significant success with clients with “a lot to lose.” The use of bad date reports and establishing rapport has assisted in reducing both violence and the reporting of violence, but there are no clear solutions that have been shown to prevent or deter the overall issue.
8. What social, health and substance abuse treatment services are available to assist prostitutes?
We provide a variety of services, including substance use disorder and mental health treatment; transitional housing; case management; peer support; childcare; job training; medical treatment; therapy; transportation assistance; self-defense training; legal assistance; and help finding employment. Many of our services are available as either pre- or post-charge diversion options, or through street outreach.
9. Are prostitutes using available services?
Most of the time when you see long-term users seek out drug treatment, it happens during a crisis like an overdose. After getting back on their feet, they will leave the program and go back to their street life. The data shows no long-term use has occurred.