S.F. Weighs Decriminalizing Prostitution

Proposition Would Forbid Local Authorities From Going After Sex Workers

(AP)  In this live-and-let-live town, where medical marijuana clubs do business next to grocery stores and an annual fair celebrates sadomasochism, prostitutes could soon walk the streets without fear of arrest.

San Francisco would become the first major U.S. city to decriminalize prostitution if voters next month approve Proposition K - a measure that forbids local authorities from investigating, arresting or prosecuting anyone for selling sex.

The ballot question technically would not legalize prostitution since state law still prohibits it, but the measure would eliminate the power of local law enforcement officials to go after prostitutes.

Proponents say the measure will free up $11 million the police spend each year arresting prostitutes and allow them to form collectives.

"It will allow workers to organize for our rights and for our safety," said Patricia West, 22, who said she has been selling sex for about a year by placing ads on the Internet. She moved to San Francisco in May from Texas to work on Proposition K.

Even in tolerant San Francisco - where the sadomasochism fair draws more than 400,000 tourists and a pornographic video company is housed in a former armory - the measure faces an uphill battle, with much of the political establishment opposing it.

Some form of prostitution is already legal in two states. Brothels are allowed in rural counties in Nevada. And Rhode Island permits the sale of sex behind closed doors between consulting adults, but it prohibits street prostitution and brothels.

In 2004, almost two-thirds of voters in nearby Berkeley rejected decriminalization. But proponents of Proposition K say their proposal has a better shot in San Francisco, which they believe is more sexually liberal than the city across the bay.

After all, the world's oldest profession has long been established here. During the Gold Rush, the neighborhood closest to the piers was a seedy pleasure center of sex, gambling and drinking known as the Barbary Coast.

These days, on certain corners, prostitutes sell their bodies day and night, ducking into doorways and alleys when police pass by. One recent afternoon in the Mission District, six prostitutes were plying their trade on a single block.

Police made 1,583 prostitution arrests in 2007 and expect to make a similar number this year. But the district attorney's office says most defendants are fined, placed in diversion programs or both. Fewer than 5 percent get prosecuted for solicitation, which is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail.

Proposition K has been endorsed by the local Democratic Party. But the mayor, district attorney, police department and much of the business community oppose the idea, contending it would increase street prostitution, allow pimps the run of neighborhoods and hamper the fight against sex trafficking, which would remain illegal because it involves forcing people into the sex trade.

The San Francisco Chronicle editorialized against the measure, saying it could make the city a magnet for prostitution.

If the the proposal passes, "we wouldn't be able to investigate prostitution, and it's going to be pretty difficult for us to locate these folks who are victims of trafficking otherwise," said Capt. Al Pardini, head of the police department's vice unit. "It's pretty rare that we get a call that says: 'I'm a victim of human trafficking' or 'I suspect human trafficking in my neighborhood."'

The proposition would also prohibit police from accepting federal or state funds for sex trafficking investigations that involve racial profiling. Such investigations often arise from raids on brothels that advertise as Asian massage parlors.

"We feel that repressive policies don't help trafficking victims, and that human rights-based approaches, including decriminalization, are actually more effective," said Carol Leigh, co-founder of the Bay Area Sex Workers Advocacy Network and a longtime advocate for prostitutes' rights.

But San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris said the ballot question mistakenly assumes prostitution is a victimless crime.

"The crime of prostitution does not exist by itself," Harris said. "Along with it come pimps, johns and other crimes that really impact the safety of neighborhoods."

If the measure passes, supporters say, prostitutes would not feel the need for pimps as protection. But opponents insist it would embolden pimps who trap drug addicts into prostitution by plying them with drugs.

"The proponents usually paint a fairly rosy picture of two consenting adults and a monetary exchange at the end," Pardini said. "They don't factor in the people that are being exploited and people that are being controlled, the ones manipulated both physically and chemically."

[smugbachelor]

I hope this passes and spreads across the country. ALL women are prostitues in one way or another. You gotta buy ''''em dinner ,get ''''em drunk and maybe get some.Get married and they get all your money. I like prostitutes-Heres $20,$50,$250-lets get it on. It''''s cheaper than a wife/girlfriend and you get to pick and choose who you get with.No strings,no hassles,no "where have you been all nite BS".
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Posted by fedupredneck at 08:24 AM : Oct 23, 2008

Yep, women are as shallow financially as men are about getting good action. Imagine a legal store the size of a Wal-Mart where a man could go pay a fee for a prositute to get a full service fluid change. Attractive women would be drawn to that industry for the money. Men would be able work the fees into their budget. Wouldn''t have much reason to get married. Right here in my office I work with 3 fellas who work a 2nd job part time in order to strive toward paying off the debt their wives got them into. And these wife slugs don''t even take good care of Mr. Johnson. No Thanks.

[fedupredneck]

I hope this passes and spreads across the country. ALL women are prostitues in one way or another. You gotta buy ''em dinner ,get ''em drunk and maybe get some.Get married and they get all your money. I like prostitutes-Heres $20,$50,$250-lets get it on. It''s cheaper than a wife/girlfriend and you get to pick and choose who you get with.No strings,no hassles,no "where have you been all nite BS".

[nothappyatall]

Since 1999, I have been taking a week of vacation twice a year to Nevada. I have two brothels I enjoy and four different professional providers I see as often as I can if they are available. One of them always remembers my name.

It costs me a lot of money, at least by my standards. In flying out to Nevada, getting a hotel, and getting scheduled for a week of unbelievable boom boom, I usually spend between 6 and $8,000.

Posted by JamesEtling4

You spend 8 grand on a trip to hooker??? geezus that''s hilarious! I''m glad to have my big dogs and at least I know they won''t ever have any STD''s!

[nothappyatall]

Really Great day for S.F. AND THE U.S.A!

Posted by stlouisman3"

Sure is!!

[cheteunice]

Really sad day for S.F. AND THE U.S.A!

[toolmangler-2009]

"S.F. Weighs Decriminalizing Prostitution
Proposition Would Forbid Local Authorities From Going After *** Workers"



I didn''t know that anything except being ''straight'' was illegal in S.F.

[jamesetling4]

Main stream America is afraid to allow prostitution.. because fewer Americans would get married.. SO that would hurt the Bridal shops.. Tux rentals and sales.. Bakeries, Jewelers, Card shops, Florist, marriage councilers... Lawyers.. The court system.. Clerks at the court house ... It would be a disaster + women would have to be nice to their hubbies.... (bummer)
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Posted by DoILookligaf at 04:34 PM : Oct 22, 2008

You bet it would be a disaster for women. No more slackers and sponges. Women would have to start providing for themselves. The free lunch programs would gradually dissolve. The single women on my street hate me because word got out of my trips to Nevada. Perfectly good money that could be spent paying off a woman''s department store credit card is being spent on professionals in Nevada. For more info do a google on Nevada Brothel Association. I have not had one single bad experience out there. Expensive, but its fantastic.

[questionnews]

After a few years of this we will be sending as much money to San Fransisco as we do to Africa to deal with the Aids problem.

[repforbarack]

It''s about time I say!

[omded]

One of the biggest opponents of this measure is probably the law enforsement lobby. After all, the police oppose decriminalization almost every time, because they need people to arrest. Every time you leagalize something, you take away a little bit of their job security. Conversely, if you pass a law turning a previously legal activity into an illegal one, the police love you. After all, you''ve just created more criminals for them to arrest.

Public solicitation of prostitution would probably be a little annoying, but, so are the people who sit outside the grocery store asking me to donate money, or sign their petition. We live with the grocery store solicitors, so I suppose we can live with the prostitutes soliciting as well.

I say legalize prostitution, but regulate it. Require prostitutes to be lisenced, get frequent medical screenings for STD''s, and submit to unannounced inspections, just like in the food industry, to ensure they''re following safe business practices. Outlawing postitution is just downright silly, and it''s time to put an end to it.