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."

[payasyougo]

"S.F. Weighs Decriminalizing Prostitution"
----
Two reasons.

1. So they can tax it
2. So politicians are not so easily spotted.

[wl7bzh]

Fires, drought, illegal aliens, drunk actors and actresses, plus a major California budget deficit. Legalized gay marriages and now prostitution?

Las Vegas likes to boast that it is "sin city" and what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.


Two major cities boasting of a decadent lifestyle-if there is a God and the pattern holds, He is so going to be pizzed.

Either way, the results may answer the question-is there a God?

[easeup-2009]

Is there a more whacked-out city than San Franfreakso?

[easeup-2009]

It is legal in Reno Nevada, McCains home state. There is nothing whacked out about making it legal.

Posted by curse914 at 08:58 PM : Oct 21, 2008

San Franfreakso is beyond fvcked-up. They rejected bringing the USS Iowa, a highly decorated WWII battleship, in to make it a historical tourist attraction because they were against the Iraq war.

How fvcked-up is that?

They should just start their own tranny country.

[wl7bzh]

No, because it is the right thing to do. Right now it is a system that is setup to victimize these women from both sides of the street. Legalizing it will make it safer for everyone, reduce the burden on the prison system and by extension, our tax dollars.

Posted by curse914 at 08:57 PM : Oct 21, 2008

Love yur logic-while we''re at it, let''s decriminalize heroin or murder or.... gosh where would it all stop? After all, those poor people that are criminalized are really victims.

Jessie Jackson, you little sneak, have taken a bogus idea again for posting on blogs? Remember when everyone thought you really were a minister?

[nothappyatall]

It is legal in Reno Nevada, McCains home state.

Posted by curse914 "

Um, it IS legal there yes but McCain is from ARIZONA...

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

They WASTE $11 MILLION a year on dealing with CONSENTUAL adult s3x??? what a freaking waste of time! legalize it, require health checks and TAX IT.
I wanna see an animal bordello tho with some fine horses there to choose from!

[legacyabq]

"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."

Yeah, no shiite Harris, that''s THE WHOLE POINT..
Making it illegal CAUSES this crime and side-industry.. Get rid of it all by decriminalizing..
Consenting adults dont need the govt to tell them how to live, as long as they are acting on their OWN behalf, and not affecting anyone else with their actions.. That''s what liberty is all about.. Pursue your right to happiness, as long as you dont infringe on someone elses pursuit of THEIR happiness.
leave people alone, and please let''s
DE-CHRISTIANIZE the laws in this country..
20 centuries of this mind control is enough

[easeup-2009]

Majority rules, pal. As a society we agree upon societal norms. If enough people decide they do not want a WalMart in their town, it aint going up and that is how it should be.

If you would rather imprison these women and subject them to a prostitution cartels treatment, that is your cross to bare. I would rather make the streets safer for them and reduce the money I have to put into the prison system to house them.

BTW: Californias'''' GDP is equal to that of France. They are a giver state with regard to Federal taxes and I would venture a guess that you live in a Red, Taker State.

Posted by curse914 at 09:15 PM : Oct 21, 2008

Majority rules????? San Francisco is an island of degenerate liberal trash. IF IT WEREN''T FOR THE USS IOWA AND IT''S CREW, San FranFREAKSHOW would be goose-stepping in their brown shirts. How the fvck can ANYONE disrespect WWII veterans & call themselves Americans???? FVCK THEM! I hope AIDS takes them all.

[gatofeo]

"Even in tolerant San Francisco ..."

Tolerant, unless you support the war.

Tolerant, unless you want to own a handgun (San Francisco declared their ownership illegal a few years ago. Even veterans who brought back a souvenir Luger from World War II were suddenly criminals. The Supreme Court overthrew the ban but it could return).

Tolerant, unless you believe that serving your country in the military is honorable.

Tolerant, unless you disagree with the radical leftist leanings of the city.

Tolerant, unless believe that *** should be enjoyed in private, not outrageously pranced about on the street by immature cretins.

Tolerant? Don''t make me laugh! San Francisco is a dictatorship. Disagree with the party line and you''re shouted down and ostracized.

[frankinaz]

San Francisco should legalize prostitution. It can then regulate the businesses, the businesses can pay their taxes, and the *** workers can be periodically checked for STDs.
Also, some of the crimes that are committed on prostitutes, along with the crimes prostitutes commit
would decrease, giving the SFPD more time and resources to fight more serious crimes.
It''s not a perfect solution, but it works in certain
European cities. After a recent visit to Las Vegas, NV, maybe that city should legalize prostitution also. Many of the resorts there "cater" to the needs of certain high rollers, even though the official
stance is that they don''t allow prostitutes on their properties, but this has been going on for decades.

[voidmaster-2009]

Majority rule is not actually how America works. If it were, the civil rights movement would never have worked. That said, I totally support legalizing prostitution, recreational drugs, and%u2026 well pretty much any issue wherein the state presumes to know what is best for us and has circumvented free will.

As for any moral issues involved, that is between each and his god. Morality is not the purview of the state.

[wl7bzh]

Look idiot, I am sick of laws based on religious tenant. These faith based laws have no basis in reality. You would rather subject these women to abuse, imprisonment and exploitation instead of making is safer for them to make a buck.

Posted by curse914 at 09:19 PM : Oct 21, 2008

"Idiot"? You pseudo-intellectual piece of *****. You quote scripture? Wasn''t it Jesus that commented in some cases that a person "go and sin no more lest a worse thing come upon them". If you are going to quote scriptures moron, you may want to remember "the wages of sin is death".

And while we''re at, who will judge at the end of time determining who gets heaven and who gets hell.

Look just because your girlfriend will be able to work with out getting hassled by the cops is no reason to support decriminalization. Lemmie guess you''re still paying for it, right? What a loser,Stupidd and Buttt ugly as well

[easeup-2009]

Speaking of degenerate, your argument has degenerated to gibberish. This was about legalizing prostitution, not a flippin war ship. And I will tell you, I am from Idaho, a state that is as Red as they come, so keep the pathetic "liberal" diatribe to a minimum with me.

Posted by curse914 at 09:26 PM : Oct 21, 2008

Fair enough. I apologize. I have a college buddy who moved out there for work & he sends me links to stories about how fvcked up that city is. I see San Fran & just react. That is truly one messed-up place. As far as prostitution is concerned, I really don''t see a problem with decriminalizing it--as long as it is strictly regulated.

[cpelzar--2008]

My name is Elliott Spitzer, I am a Democrat and I support the legalization of Prostitution.

[eroosevelt08]

Having health status requirements for licensing might be a good thing, to show not having AIDS. If it were licensed and legal, why would they need the pimps? As for taxing it, I would rather be taxed on my income and support schools and roads than pay it to some pimp.

[wl7bzh]

Look idiot, I am sick of laws based on religious tenant. These faith based laws have no basis in reality. You would rather subject these women to abuse, imprisonment and exploitation instead of making is safer for them to make a buck.

Posted by curse914 at 09:19 PM : Oct 21, 2008

"Idiot"? You pseudo-intellectual piece of *****. You quote scripture? Wasn''t it Jesus that commented in some cases that a person "go and sin no more lest a worse thing come upon them". If you are going to quote scriptures moron, you may want to remember "the wages of sin is death".

And while we''re at, who will judge at the end of time determining who gets heaven and who gets hell.

Look just because your girlfriend will be able to work with out getting hassled by the cops is no reason to support decriminalization. Lemmie guess you''re still paying for it, right? What a loser,Stupidd and Buttt ugly as well

[voidmaster-2009]

What Jesus had to say has not bearing on law. Again, morality is between each and his god. The state has no place dealing in it.

[voidmaster-2009]

What Jesus had to say has not bearing on law. Again, morality is between each and his god. The state has no place dealing in it.

[downtowner97]

Note to "Violet": Avoid horizontal stripes.

[cpelzar--2008]

What Jesus had to say has not bearing on law. Again, morality is between each and his god. The state has no place dealing in it.

Posted by VoidMaster at 09:35 PM : Oct 21, 2008

It is amazing that San Francisco would legalize prostitution, recreational drugs and not prosecute illegal vistors to our country, but try and smoke a *** cigarette at a bar or restaurant even if everyone in it wanted to smoke. The Nazi liberals will deal with you then, that is for sure.

[voidmaster-2009]

It is amazing that San Francisco would legalize prostitution, recreational drugs and not prosecute illegal vistors to our country, but try and smoke a *** cigarette at a bar or restaurant even if everyone in it wanted to smoke. The Nazi liberals will deal with you then, that is for sure.

Posted by CPelzar
***
Quite true and still just as wrong.

[nothappyatall]

I believe they have animal bordellos in Holland. I do not agree with that mentality. Consent is the key and an animal as well as a child do not have the mental capacity to consent.

Posted by curse914"

Holland does yes, and you are wrong, animals can and DO consent with their body language which is easy to "read", see wikipedia; "bestiality" but be that as it may- does ANYTHING people do to animals require their CONSENT?? Lambs willingly jump into the pit to become lamb chops now? that cow just up and dies willingly so you can eat STEAK? Pigs consent to being jammed into animal auschwitz? Dont give me that consent BS it doesn''t hold water when you dont get consent for ANYTHING ELSE!

[voidmaster-2009]

I wish to point out that %u201CNazi liberal%u201D is a contradiction in terms. More accurately, liberal extremists would fall under the heading of Communist while Nazi should be reserved for conservative extremists.

[easeup-2009]

Holland does yes, and you are wrong, animals can and DO consent with their body language which is easy to "read", see wikipedia; "bestiality" but be that as it may- does ANYTHING people do to animals require their CONSENT??

Posted by newster1 at 09:47 PM : Oct 21, 2008

Are you my daaaaaaaaaaaaaa deeeeeeee?

[cpelzar--2008]

I wish to point out that %u201CNazi liberal%u201D is a contradiction in terms. More accurately, liberal extremists would fall under the heading of Communist while Nazi should be reserved for conservative extremists.

Posted by VoidMaster at 09:50 PM : Oct 21, 2008

In Germany many voters began turning their support towards the Nazi Party with its promises of strong government, civil peace, radical changes to economic policy and restored national pride.

I don''t know sounds like the Liberal party to me under Obama''s platform.

[voidmaster-2009]

Holland does yes, and you are wrong, animals can and DO consent with their body language which is easy to "read", see wikipedia; "bestiality" but be that as it may- does ANYTHING people do to animals require their CONSENT?? Lambs willingly jump into the pit to become lamb chops now? that cow just up and dies willingly so you can eat STEAK? Pigs consent to being jammed into animal auschwitz? Dont give me that consent BS it doesn''''t hold water when you dont get consent for ANYTHING ELSE!


Posted by newster1
***
You have just defined the basis for animal rights activism.

[cpelzar--2008]

I don''t really care what San Francisco does, the city is becoming more and more irrelevant as it keeps embracing issues such as this. I think the economics of the city will eventually be affected either way by the cities decisions on topics like this and I will leave it to them to choose their future success. I have an opinion about it, but I do not live there.

[voidmaster-2009]

I don''''t really care what San Francisco does, the city is becoming more and more irrelevant as it keeps embracing issues such as this. I think the economics of the city will eventually be affected either way by the cities decisions on topics like this and I will leave it to them to choose their future success. I have an opinion about it, but I do not live there.

Posted by CPelzar
***
Yes! Think of what this could do to boost tourism and conventions.

[cpelzar--2008]

I don''''''''t really care what San Francisco does, the city is becoming more and more irrelevant as it keeps embracing issues such as this. I think the economics of the city will eventually be affected either way by the cities decisions on topics like this and I will leave it to them to choose their future success. I have an opinion about it, but I do not live there.

Posted by CPelzar
***
Yes! Think of what this could do to boost tourism and conventions.

Posted by VoidMaster at 10:10 PM : Oct 21, 2008

Not much, The RAI in Amsterdam is no where near the largest in europe. The cities that have the largest convention centers do not have legal prostitution, so I do not think there is a positive correlation.

Most organizations and large companies I do not believe will view this a a good place to go. I know SF has conventions but no where near Vegas, New York, Chicago, Orlando, Boston or even LA.

[voidmaster-2009]

Actually, San Francisco does not immediately come to mind as a place for conventions or vacation, whereas some place like Vegas does. But then, just outside the Vegas city limits, prostitution is legal. Then of course, there is the gambling.

Beyond that, I was being sarcastic anyway.

[voidmaster-2009]

I wish to point out that %u201CNazi liberal%u201D is a contradiction in terms. More accurately, liberal extremists would fall under the heading of Communist while Nazi should be reserved for conservative extremists.

Posted by VoidMaster at 09:50 PM : Oct 21, 2008

In Germany many voters began turning their support towards the Nazi Party with its promises of strong government, civil peace, radical changes to economic policy and restored national pride.

I don''''t know sounds like the Liberal party to me under Obama''''s platform.

Posted by CPelzar
***
Getting back to this for a moment: hard times typically do inspire cultures to embrace extremism. The irony of Nazism vs. Communism is, while on opposite ends of the political continuum, their methods are so similar that many people get them confused.

[cpelzar--2008]

Actually, San Francisco does not immediately come to mind as a place for conventions or vacation, whereas some place like Vegas does. But then, just outside the Vegas city limits, prostitution is legal. Then of course, there is the gambling.

Beyond that, I was being sarcastic anyway.

Posted by VoidMaster at 10:28 PM : Oct 21, 2008

Oh, sorry

[cpelzar--2008]

I wish to point out that %u201CNazi liberal%u201D is a contradiction in terms. More accurately, liberal extremists would fall under the heading of Communist while Nazi should be reserved for conservative extremists.

Posted by VoidMaster at 09:50 PM : Oct 21, 2008

In Germany many voters began turning their support towards the Nazi Party with its promises of strong government, civil peace, radical changes to economic policy and restored national pride.

I don''''''''t know sounds like the Liberal party to me under Obama''''''''s platform.

Posted by CPelzar
***
Getting back to this for a moment: hard times typically do inspire cultures to embrace extremism. The irony of Nazism vs. Communism is, while on opposite ends of the political continuum, their methods are so similar that many people get them confused.

Posted by VoidMaster at 10:32 PM : Oct 21, 2008

And well they should get them confused.

[voidmaster-2009]

And well they should get them confused.

Posted by CPelzar
***
Their respective methodologies and to some degree even their objectives are the same; that is, to monitor, direct and control the populace to the extent of even supervising attitudes. Fortunately, humans do not fit well into that paradigm. That is why both forms of extremism have largely failed.

[voidmaster-2009]

In the end, it is much like comparing religious extremism. It does not matter if you are killed by a fanatical Christian or a fanatical Muslim. You are still just as dead. Fanaticism is the problem, not perspective.

[wwudiver]

wow-government out of peoples lives...almost sounds like America.

I don''t do either but I like the idea that I could smoke pot with my hooker if I chose to. I sure thought if it was legal that I would rush right out but...well..I guess I wasn''t doing because it was against the law. Apparently I have free will, who knew?

If you don''t like it, stay out, do not hire a hooker and do not smoke pot. If you think you lack the self control..maybe you need to kick back, a jang and girl and celebrate your freedom a little. Bring your pastor, he really needs it.

[voidmaster-2009]

Another lover of liberty speaks....

[voidmaster-2009]

I see the cooler heads of reason have arrived. Guess I will leave the sandbox before one of these children uses it as a litter box.

G-nite all.

[swingset4u]

Again, not my business how someone gets their rocks off. Oldest profession..Low overhead, endless inventory, tax exempt (until big brother gets in on it.)

[runningralph]

Could prostitution be a tax revenue maker? How would the government keep track of how much money the ****** took in? Maybe they could put all the ****** in city owned ******. Then they could sell tickets at the door. Men seeking women on this side. Men seeking men over there. Women seeking women there. And women seeking men here. Could work- let the money roll in.

[edward1975-2009]

Texas and Massachusetts could have joined in and made the Hooker Trifecta. What next. Maybe I shouldn''t ask that question.

[wwudiver]

"The "big one" can''''t come soon enough. S.F. belongs under the Pacific Ocean. "

DeckardBR, it''s ok, they make gay hookers as well so you can work out your repressed fantasies and maybe ease up your mass- homocide thing. I would sleep better if I knew you were stoned, laid and relaxed.

If you don''t like it, I am going back to the don''t do it thing. Honestly, why do you care? Are you afraid that you can''t control yourself (personal problem), that your uptight daughter who you made live under a rock will become a prosti (family problem), or that communist hookers will attack your property (paranoid mental problem)?

I fail to see a single reason for you to infringe ont he rights of others. Heck, people spend good money to get pretty girls to stand around. Maybe they should move into your neighborhood and start charging you for dressing up the place, you know, any large group of people can make that law (ie hooker collective).

[cg37102006]

i would say keep it behind closed doors. call girls at private homes, ok. streetwalkers and quickies in back alleys, no.

[kansas1946]

A grand idea. It is idiotic that it is illegal to start with.

[caliengineer]

If they do this, I hope they will also cause prostitutes to register. They should all have mandatory STD checks- regularly - and disease prevention and identification classes.
The registration place should offer counseling for sexual abuse and assistance for vocational training, tutors for college classes, drug rehab, etcetera.

Prostitutes are people. Simply not arresting them is sick. Care for them!!! Many prostitutes were rejected early in life and need encouragement and assistance. Sometimes it takes just ONE person to care.

[eroosevelt08]

Also, if licensed and paying income tax, prostitutes would earn credits toward their social security for their retirement years. A law to license prostitues and have health status requirements might stop the mob''s interest in it.

[liberate40]

Ancient Rome under the pagan emperors had a prostitution tax. And in pagan Rome, society had liberal attitudes towards all forms of sexuality. Even child prostitution was accepted. As for how San Francisco goes, well anything goes. If Prop. K passes, San Francisco should implement a prostitution tax to help deal with healthcare costs for the prostitutes. They will need treatment from STDs and future prevention.

[nothappyatall]

Ancient Rome under the pagan emperors had a prostitution tax. And in pagan Rome, society had liberal attitudes towards all forms of sexuality. Even child prostitution was accepted.

Posted by liberate40 "

Pedophilia was normal in Greece, it was how boys learned I guess, the Greeks, and the Pompei days- s3x and nudity was totally accepted. in Switzerland a woman topless in a park hardly draws a second glance.

"You have just defined the basis for animal rights activism.
Posted by VoidMaster"

The AR crowd is like the anti abortion crowd- the kind who kill doctors and blow up clinics- both are NUTS, but what someone does in PRIVATE behind closed doors is not a crime and is unenforceable.

[pirmin3]

Good idea. Welcome to the 21st century.

[dbstevens]

I guess I can agree with the "behind closed doors" as in Rhode Island. But openly public prostitution bothers me a great deal because of kids'' exposure to it. Kids these days already have a hard enough time with the pressure of drugs, ***, and damaging lifestyles. To publicly condone this shallow and heartless lifestyle is not a good idea.