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Monday, February 23, 2009

City Squeeze the Balloon

Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Feb 23, 2009 at 5:28 PM

State lawmakers are debating a law that would allow the police to impound the cars of men caught soliciting prostitutes in neighborhoods designated "prostitution-heavy zones." Cars would be returned to the men after they paid a fine and said sorry. It's not as bad as the last plan; a previous version of this law would've allowed the police to seize and sell the cars to fund police operations—a law modeled on much-abused drug laws.

Better, but still stupid.

The law's backers claim that they want to help out folks in neighborhoods overrun by prostitutes. But I can't imagine that the residents of these neighborhoods will be happy to 1. have their neighborhoods tagged as "prostitution-heavy zones" by local law enforcement agents and 2. see signs go up that let everyone know—including prospective residents—that their neighborhood is a prostitution-heavy zone. Because, according to the law, signs warning drivers that they're in a prostitution-heavy zone have to be posted before the police can begin seizing cars.

Even if it works as intended—even if signs warning men that they're in a prostitution-heavy zone and the cops can seize their cars and the men are scared away—the law will only move the problem to a new neighborhood, a neighborhood that hasn't been designated as a prostitution-heavy zone yet, a neighborhood where signs that say "prostitution-heavy zone!" have not been posted yet, a neighborhood where cops can't seize your cars yet.

Prostitution can't be stopped. It can, however, be contained. A city—and state government—that was serious about helping people in neighborhoods overrun with prostitutes would create a red-light zone, a place where prostitutes and their customers were free to meet up without fear of arrest. I nominate Magnolia.

Comments (38) RSS

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Magnolia's too far out of the way. How about Madison Valley?

Posted by Matt from Denver on February 23, 2009 at 5:38 PM

Have we forgotten the legal principle that one is innocent until proven guilty, and should only be punished _after_ a trial?

Posted by Andrew Taylor on February 23, 2009 at 5:41 PM

Queen Anne works for me

Posted by Monkey Bones on February 23, 2009 at 5:43 PM

Discrimination against prostitutes should be illegal.

Posted by Medina on February 23, 2009 at 5:47 PM

the law will only move the problem to a new neighborhood, a neighborhood that hasn't been designated as a prostitution-heavy zone yet

A neighborhood that no one cares about, because it's not full of squawky middle class families. Problem solved!

Posted by keshmeshi on February 23, 2009 at 5:47 PM

Aren't these signs already posted? I've seen them in CD and on Aurora.

How else are the tourists supposed to find the prostitutes? Craigslist?

Posted by six shooter on February 23, 2009 at 5:54 PM

Magnolia has tons of whores already. And they're free.

Posted by Milf Hunter on February 23, 2009 at 6:00 PM

How about just converting all that surplus office space that's going to come on the market into sex worker space? High Rise Hedonism...It's catchy and easy to market.

Posted by dwight moody on February 23, 2009 at 6:20 PM

The next time you go to a police auction just remember: Don't bid for a car if it has cloth seats.

Posted by Mr. Tidy on February 23, 2009 at 6:48 PM

If you live in a prostitution zone, and hate it, you probably won't mind the signs. It calls out the ongoing bs. It's just the people who want to act like nothing is wrong ... they won't like the signs.

Posted by superyeadon on February 23, 2009 at 6:57 PM

I think Dan just found a new use for Fort Lawton when it closes.

Posted by Gern Blanston on February 23, 2009 at 7:05 PM

I have questions and comments Dan...

Who determines the definition of Prostitution?

After all, homelessness, living in cars, cold weather and "medication time" leave few opportunities for glamourized retail hotel sex for the multitudes of peoples living on the streets or adjacent parking strips in urban and rural areas.

What do we say to the people who don't have a big bed and shower stall who may want to "get a little"... eh-hem.. "endorphin rush" while they ...
"get their body off"?

Does a person automatically get classified by the City or Police as a "prostitute" for "jumping in the backseat, or getting a helpin' hand from their significant.... ( or not quite as significant ) other " ?

God, I mean you think someone who had rebuilt the attitude from curb to secret door stop could get over the spector of "sir-veillance"....

This makes me think that maybe the friends I am trying to help in out of the cold and am paying for food and drinks and entertainment in my apartment have been commonly called WHORES!!!!!!!!

And, Dan.... you know what that does to a girls panties.....

gets it all in a bunch.

Sincerly,

that park guy.

p.s.,

who says car sex needn't be safe sex?

Posted by daniel on February 23, 2009 at 7:24 PM

Selling is legal.
Fucking is legal.
Why isn't selling fucking legal?
Why is it illegal to sell something that's perfectly legal to give away for free?

I miss George Carlin...

Posted by Urgutha Forka on February 23, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Prostitution wouldn't be so prevalent if the Puget Sound weren't the center for Fugly Chicks.

Posted by Gay Porn Mag on February 23, 2009 at 9:41 PM

"State lawmakers are debating a law that would allow the police to impound the cars of men caught soliciting prostitutes"

I'm not saying it happens often, but I'm certain women have been caught soliciting prostitution before. And that they might face legal consequences for doing so.

Posted by amp on February 23, 2009 at 9:56 PM

I nominate Magnolia Audio. NPR-donating motherfuckers.

Posted by A Grouch on February 23, 2009 at 10:07 PM

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Belltown needs the revenue- and they won't have to go very far to meet their dealers.

Posted by Clean Belltown the Fuck Up on February 23, 2009 at 11:08 PM

@2 ... innocent until proven guilty is a criminal concept. Impounding a vehicle is a civil sanction that comes with a separate but nearly equal right to challenge in court. The burden of proof, however, is preponderance of evidence and not beyond a reasonable doubt so most will still pay. Regardless, your logic is flawed.

@15 ... Washington law states that any time a law states he it is assumed to also mean she even though it is not stated. But keep whining the small shit.

Posted by tired_of_douche_nozzles on February 23, 2009 at 11:17 PM

When I lived in Oakland, CA, the police impounded vehicles of anyone caught attempting to purchase drugs. Lots of sellers there, but most users were suburban types who drove in for a bag. The part I really liked best was the buyers weren't arrested. Oh, no. They were cited and released on the spot, and after their cars were gone had to hoof it out on their own thru the terrible neighborhoods their drug purchases had helped creat. Fun stuff.

Posted by Karl Schuck on February 23, 2009 at 11:23 PM

The nice corner building the Stranger rents on C. Hill, historic looking with the terra cotta exterior, would make a great LEGAL WHORE HOUSE ....

Might need to upgrade the cubicles a bit .... get rid of the pot smell ... ready to go

(tons of buss lines nearby too)

Posted by Bob on February 23, 2009 at 11:37 PM

This is the most hilariously bad idea ever.

If it goes through, will somebody steal one of those "prostitution-heavy area" signs for me please?

Posted by raisedbywolves on February 24, 2009 at 1:24 AM

Great news!! I'm going to call my brother right now (KCS) and order up a seized Audi A8.

But, Stranger reader, don't worry about it--it's not your car that I'm after, since you fume-huffing, pole-smoking, pitbull-bashing, transit-whinging, Negro-activist, theatre-humping, party-crashing, introverted criminal, bibliophile compulsive grammar-correcter, welfare slob, Nazi-insinuater, unemployment/welfare-cheater, pole-smoker ass couldn't afford it on your salary. ;)

sorry if I left anyone out...

Posted by mb on February 24, 2009 at 5:45 AM

We need to start drug asset seizures on the blinded corporate right wing alcoholics who have created this current financial situation with their violent extortion tactics.

Posted by Douglas Tooley on February 24, 2009 at 6:36 AM

Police are not interested in "neighborhoods" because if they were, they wouldn't be going after people who solicit online. They announced this morning that's what they are doing. People who advertise online selling sex should be left alone unless you want to tax their business. We are spending too much money enforcing a worn out morality that has served no purpose what so ever except to harm people. And if you go after people selling sex online, you are not going after the johns. This is wrong and possibly
illegal in itself. Grow the fuck up America. Selling sex is a natural part of adult sexual behavior.

Posted by Vince on February 24, 2009 at 7:02 AM

This is one of the few smart blogs where comments aren't worth reading. Might be good to enforce WONKETTE"s rules here.

Posted by dede12 on February 24, 2009 at 7:54 AM

don't forget that this penalizes the john's wife, who needs that car to drive the kids and do the shopping. she gets punished too. is that fair?

Posted by ellarosa on February 24, 2009 at 8:10 AM

If I were a potential customer, I believe the sign would only serve as advertisement of where to go. It's awfully embarrassing to solicit a woman and find out she's not a prostitute after all, so if you are wanting to pay for sex, you might as well go where the signs are. If I were a prostitute, I'd hang out right underneath one.

Posted by Door64 on February 24, 2009 at 8:11 AM

mb you mentioned pole-smoker twice. you are a little fixated, perhaps. and tiresome.

Posted by ellarosa on February 24, 2009 at 8:14 AM

ellarosa, i'd smoke dope if it were legal. what are the chances that the potheads of this country get together and make it an issue?

nope.

as for the pole-smoking reference, just chalk that up to lazy editing (meant to cut and paste, but mistakenly executed copy and paste). if that's all you got, then go smoke another bowl and busy yourself with not changing the world.

Posted by mb on February 24, 2009 at 8:46 AM

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Good Morning Dan,
Where are these "prostitution-heavy zones"? I'll drive right on over:)

Seriously, I completely agree with you Dan. Prostitution should be legal, taxed and safe. I counter friends of mine who are apprehensive of legalization with this riddle "What is the difference between an Adult Film Star, say a Ron Jeremy or Jenna Jameson and a prostitute, say a street hooker or escort?" Answer:
health insurance. Prostitution should be legal for adults, gay or straight, age 18 y/o & over. These stings are foolishness.

Posted by lark on February 24, 2009 at 9:14 AM

mb - it's "corrector" not "correcter." I swear I'm not compulsive.

Posted by meh on February 24, 2009 at 9:16 AM

@22: If you're feeling daring, you can already find those signs on International Blvd. in Tukwila, a couple miles north of the airport. They're sad but hilarious.

Posted by Nicholas on February 24, 2009 at 10:57 AM

"A neighborhood that no one cares about, because it's not full of squawky middle class families. Problem solved!"

I nominate LAKE CITY. It's mostly industrial, and nearly deserted after dark anyway.

Posted by Willy-Wonka787 on March 2, 2009 at 8:19 PM