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Mar 10, 2009 5:50 pm US/Central
Using Billboards To Call Out Sex Solicitors
(WCCO)
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The city is using technology to go after the men who solicit prostitutes. The threat is to put mug shots of convicted johns on electronic billboards.
CBS
A crack down on prostitution is underway in Minneapolis but now the emphasis is on busting the johns.
The city is using technology to go after the men who solicit prostitutes.
The threat is to put mug shots of convicted johns on electronic billboards.
Police say a high percentage of them drive into south Minneapolis from the suburbs looking for sex.
"Johns -- and it's all over the web -- see the 3rd precinct as the marketplace for buying a prostitute," said Minneapolis Police Lt. Lucy Gerolds.
In the past, those arrested for soliciting prostitution were ordered to participate in a restorative justice program and the conviction didn't go on their records.
"We want to change our prosecution standards. We're pushing for a guilty conviction, so it goes on their record," said Gary Schiff, a Minneapolis City Council member.
And their name and face will go up on a Web site and possibly a billboard to try deter others from buying sex in the city.
"If you come to Minneapolis to hire a prostitute, your anonymity, you're cover will be blown, and your neighbors and coworkers may find out," said Schiff.
"Apparently what they are trying to do is shame the guys -- and shame works. It does work in some cases," said Breaking Free Executive Director Venita Carter.
The goal at Breaking Free is to help women escape prostitution and teach johns the negative impact they have and the harm they cause.
"A lot of the guys don't realize the average age of entering prostitution is 12 years old," said Carter.
Some worry the john billboards will hurt and embarrass their families.
"It's a sad thing, ya know it really is, but maybe this is what it takes to wake up," said Carter. "There's a statement that's made that we're not going to tolerate this in Minneapolis. It stops here and it stops now."
Electronic billboard owner Clear Channel has agreed to donate space to the city to display the john's mug shots.
The city will officially unveil the initiative Wednesday.
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