NCJ Number
73611
Date Published
1980
Length
195 pages
Annotation
This book discusses the incidence, genesis, and persistence of visible street deviance and examines prostitution in New York City as an example of the problem.
Abstract
Particular attention is given to the spatial and temporal distributions of visible street deviance including reasons for its appearance in certain neighborhoods and on certain sides of the street; to the relationships between opportunities for street deviance and ecological and physical structures, and the sociodemographic characteristics of neighborhood 'users' (such as residents, shoppers, workers, or passersby) and practicers; to whether street deviance at different times of day and night results from the same group of persons; to the types of crime related to street deviance; to police and community methods for controlling or eliminating the problem; and to the provision of a better theoretical understanding of the situation. A number of recommendations are presented. In order to eliminate many of the negative consequences of street prostitution, such as venereal disease and pimping, this activity should be either decriminalized or legalized, and safeguards -- such as the medical examination of prostitutes -- should be introduced. Until this is accomplished, interim solutions should involve a relaxation in the enforcement of laws prohibiting prostitution during time periods that do not interfere with residents or other neighborhood users, or a selective enforcement of the laws to allow indoor prostitution, but not prostitution on the streets. The police should receive special training in the enforcement of the prostitution laws in a fair and even-handed manner in order to curb discriminatory practices. Furthermore, they should concentrate on teenage prostitutes or on those who engage in violence or theft. Vice officers should be trained in network policing and should not be restricted to precinct or division boundaries that do not necessarily coincide with locations of street deviance. Other recommendations are also included. Data tables, footnotes, a bibliography of about 60 citations, an index, and appendixes containing a literature review and a copy of the researcher's letter of identification are presented.