COMBATING PROSTITUTION - SALINAS (CA) POLICE CURB CITY'S STREET PROBLEM

• NCJ Number: 57622
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 46 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 62-66
• Author(s): R E HANNA
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

STEPS USED BY THE SALINAS, CALIF., POLICE DEPARTMENT TO COMBAT PROSTITUTION PROVIDE A GUIDE FOR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

Abstract

STARTING IN THE MIDDLE OF 1967, SALINAS EXPERIENCED A LARGE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PROSTITUTES IN THE AREA. THE SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT USED A SERIES OF TECHNIQUES OVER A 2-YEAR PERIOD WHICH RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN PROSTITUTION IN THE CITY. THESE TECHNIQUES INCLUDED (1) UTILIZING THE SUGGESTIONS OF MEN ASSIGNED TO THE PROBLEM; (2) PATROLING AND INVESTIGATION PERSONNEL WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER; (3) UTILIZING RESERVES, CITIZENS, AND DISGUISES WHILE WORKING AS DECOYS; (4) CLEARING ALL ENFORCEMENT TECHNIQUES WITH THE LOCAL PROSECUTOR; AND (5) CONVINCING JUDGES OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM SO THAT APPROPRIATE SENTENCES WERE APPLIED. CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, PROSTITUTION IS NOT A 'VICTIMLESS' CRIME; IT CAN BE RELATED TO ALMOST EVERY TYPE OF SERIOUS CRIME. USE OF MALE DECOYS INVOLVED A POLICE OFFICER 'WIRED' WITH ELECTRONIC RECORDING DEVICES SO THAT SOLICITATION CAN BE RECORDED AND OVERHEARD BY VICE DETECTIVES IN A CHASE UNIT. FEMALE DECOYS CAN BE USED IN THE SAME MANNER AS MALES. OBSERVATION CASES ARE THE LEAST PREFERRED METHOD BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO PROVE ELEMENTS OF CRIME AND BECAUSE THE SOLICITATION IS NOT OVERHEARD AND OFTEN PARTIES INVOLVED CANNOT BE LOCATED AT THE TIME OF THE TRIAL. ADDITIONAL TECHNIQUES INCLUDED ASSURANCE OF COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXAMINATION APPOINTMENTS, WORKING CLOSELY WITH HOTELS AND MOTELS, ISSUING TRAFFIC CITATIONS, USUALLY FOR DOUBLE PARKING, MAKING WARRANT CHECKS ON KNOWN PROSTITUTES AND PIMPS. SUCH CHECKS OFTEN REVEAL OUTSTANDING WARRANTS. FILING OF PRIOR CONVICTIONS TO OBTAIN MANDATORY 45 TO 90 DAY SENTENCES, ENFORCEMENT OF PROBATION CONDITIONS, USE OF RED LIGHT ABATEMENT LAWS ON BUILDINGS KNOWN TO BE USED FOR PROSTITUTION, AND ISSUING OF MASSAGE PARLOR ORDINANCES REGULATING THE OPERATION OF SUCH BUSINESSES WERE EFFECTIVE. THE ABOVE TECHNIQUES CAN SERVE AS A SET OF GUIDELINES FOR OTHER AGENCIES TRYING TO CURB THE PROSTITUTION PROBLEM. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (STB)