NCJ Number
45059
Date Published
1977
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROSTITUTES AND VICE OFFICERS IS ANALYZED AS AN ECOLOGICAL BALANCE IN WHICH EACH GROUP ATTAINS ITS OWN GOALS WITH MINIMAL INTERFERENCE IN THE GOAL ATTAINMENT OF THE OTHER.
Abstract
THE MAIN GOALS OF A VICE OFFICER ARE TO FULFILL HIS ARREST QUOTA, MINIMIZE CITIZEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT PROSTITUTION, AND AVOID PERSONAL DANGER; THE GOALS OF A PROSTITUTE ARE TO MAKE MONEY AND AVOID ARREST OR PERSONAL HARM. EACH GROUP ACCOMPLISHES THESE GOALS THROUGH INTERACTION WITH THE OTHER AND WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE PUBLICS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A 'SCRIP'--A RECOGNIZED SITUATION WITH KNOWN ACTORS AND DEFINED ROLES TO BE PLAYED BY EACH. THE VICE OFFICER'S PUBLICS (THOSE FOR AND WITH WHOM HE MUST ACT) ARE HIS SUPERIOR OFFICERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. A PROSTITUTE'S PUBLIC ARE THE VICE OFFICERS AND HER JOHNS (CUSTOMERS). THE COMPLEX INTERACTIONS AMONG THE PROSTITUTES, VICE OFFICERS, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PUBLICS ARE SEEN AS A SERIES OF CONFIDENCE GAMES. THE PROSTITUTE'S GAME WITH THE JOHN BEGINS WITH THE SETTING AND HER COSTUME, CAREFULLY CHOSEN TO REFLECT HER DESIRED IMAGE. SHE MUST USE HER CONFIDENCE SKILLS IN SEVERAL STAGES OF THE GAME: TO CONVINCE HIM THAT SHE IS WORTH MORE MONEY THAN HE HAD ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO PAY, AND AFTERWARDS TO CONVINCE HIM THAT THE ACT WAS SATISFACTORY, SO THAT HE WILL NOT CAUSE HER ANY TROUBLE LATER. AS FOR THE VICE OFFICER, THE PROSTITUTE HELPS HIM TO ATTAIN HIS GOALS WHILE FULFILLING ONE OF HER OWN. SHE AVOIDS ARREST BY PROVIDING HIM SERVICES: INFORMATION, FRIENDSHIP, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND SEX. THE VICE OFFICER'S ROLE CONSISTS NOT ONLY IN ARRESTING PROSTITUTES, BUT OFTEN IN HELPING THEM. HE CAN DROP OR REDUCE CHARGES IN EXCHANGE FOR INFORMATION, HELP A 'GOOD' PROSTITUTE'S FRIENDS IN COURT, AND EVEN HELP THEM WITH PERSONAL PROBLEMS. IN THESE WAYS, ALL GROUPS CONCERNED ACCOMMODATE AND COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER TO MAINTAIN PROSTITUTION WHILE ACHIEVING THEIR OWN UNIQUE GOALS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.