Law Enforcement Cracks Down on Craigslist Prostitution

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September 6th, 2007

"Prostitutes and Solicitors Using Craigslist Arrested"

Law enforcement officials across the United States are conducting sting operations to net prostitutes who trade sex for money using Craigslist.org, a popular website that allows users to post and search advertisements—most commonly for jobs and sale items.

Crackdowns started last year, with vice squads from Hawaii to Florida monitoring the site's “erotic” services section and even placing decoy ads to snare those trying to solicit a prostitute. Since the crackdowns began, police have arrested hundreds of sex workers and their solicitors.

“Craigslist has become the high-tech 42 nd Street, where much of the solicitation takes place now,” said Richard McGuire, assistant chief of detectives in Nassau County, Fla.

Technology Changes World's Oldest Profession

According to law enforcement, technology has changed prostitution. The Internet, and Craigslist in particular, has made it easier for people to make contact and also helps prostitutes stay ahead of the law.

With regard to Craigslist, district attorney of Nassau Kathleen Rice said, “It's as easy as it gets.”

Worthwhile Operations?

Tracy Quan, a member of Prostitutes of New York, an advocacy group, criticized the stings as a form of entrapment and “an enormous waste of time resources by authoritarian busybodies.”

Police say their operations are worthwhile because prostitution is frequently associated with more serious crimes involving weapons, drugs, and exploitation of vulnerable people.

The majority of those arrested are charged with misdemeanor offenses, which usually result in minor fines. However, repeat offenders risk time in jail.

(Source: New York Times online)

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