Thought some on here might be interested.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/6090254.htm

-- Modified on 7/11/2003 5:38:09 AM

why spend tax dollars on such matter during times when local and state budgets, across the country, are in such dire shape.  I can understand LE attention to street prostitution, but to plant internet ads -- some, in this case, where the cops went to the guy's home to sting him -- is inconceivable.  I don't expect an answer to this question, because no rational explanation exists. I would, however, love to know what kind of cutbacks the Kansas City school district is facing, and what kind of budget this vice group was operating with.  So much for fiscal responsibility.

Forward your comments on this to Bill O'Reilly at FNC.  

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Great PR.

First, it isn't THAT expensive to do escort stings. Yes, there is manpower involved in booking, transportation, etc.

But...

The hotel rooms are virtually always comped, space permitting. Fact, ask any hotel manager. Starwood Hotels properties, Hilton, all do this.

If it's a john sting, he loses the money he spends.

If it's an escort sting, the cops get the money back.

If it's a street sting, the john can lose his car or have to pay fines to get it back.

There is no real "jail time" to stick the taxpayers with in the event of a guilty charge, these are all class A or B misdemeanors, sometimes even reduced to trespassing or disturbing the peace in some areas.

There are rarely any expensive long judicial or jury trials (exception is sometimes in pimping/pandering type felonies.)

The escorts or johns pay fines and court costs.

The escorts can also be charged with unlicensed massage or unlicensed escorting type municipal charges which can be substantial fines (in my area 250-1000 depending on priors.)

As an added bonus, escorts are somewhat frequently in possession of narcotics or have outstanding warrants. Like a traffic stop, they often get more than mere seat belt violators.

I'd venture that prostitution operations make up a very small part of any police department's vice or special investigations  manpower needs and a very small part of overall expenditures.

What portion of the department's budget that is spent on anti-prostitution enforcement and manpower hours should be available for release under sunshine laws...hmm, might be a good project!

HOW is that not entrapment?  Placing PHONY ADS?

JCinNYC,

Along with your other points, a former vice cop I know says they used to bust providers because it was FUN.  It takes some sort of sadistic bastard to get their jollies off on ruining someone else's life.  I guess that's why they're cops.

Well, it may just be a misdemeanor, however it can stay on your record during the probation time.  That makes it a bit difficult to leave the business and start a new job if they do a police check.  And certain fields (medical, law, and teachers) will always have access to such information.
If these vice cops think they are helping the providers by arresting them, perhaps they should think twice.  I think more times than not, they are not good hearted folks (speaking from personal experience).
What irks me when these stings are exposed to the public, they always expose the ones with drug problems or abusing the kids.  From my own experience, I have been finding that the kind of women coming into this business nowadays aren't necessarily the desperate feed my addiction types.  What about Suzie Q was busted last week, single dedicated mom who wants something more for her kids and does a few tricks a week so that she can be there for the kids when they get home and help raise them and be a part of their lives rather than stuck in some daycare as she works 2 fulltime jobs, comes home so tired and doesn't have the energy to spend quality time with the kids.  Or Abner A. who is a 4.0 college student on the dean's list who is working her way through college and the high pay, short hours allows her to concentrate on her studies.  Or Candy C. is a single woman, going back to school, taking control of her own destiny and not having to rely on the welfare system or wasting taxpayers money supporting her?  Isn't this America, the land of opportunity?  With hard work and persistance, one can actually live the American dream?  Being in this kind of career does have it's rewards, but it is still work and isn't as simple as laying on your back.  Those who think that probably have poor reviews.  Those with good reviews earn it.  C'mon folks, get your priorities straigtened and get over your insecurities.  Thanks for this business, it may have actually saved a few marraiges and prevented divorce.  (I know plenty of you out there who love your wives dearly, but have different needs)  I wish the public was better educated, but unfortunately there are only a few movies, books, articles that are positive and for the time being it's taboo and the public gets the image of some greasy greedy slimeball pimping out the girls to support their heroin addiction.

PS Use your rights and vote wisely~