Must change anti-prostitution laws
Back in the 70's and 80's prostitutes were lining the streets of all major US cities. Russian diplomats made video tapes of hookers lining up all along NY and Pennsylvania avenues, Dupont Circle etc all night under the snow. They presented to the world the the poverty and corruption realities in the US. The Reagan admin was shamed enough that it mobilise massive federal resources, funding locals to train cops and attorneys, raid and prosecute all forms of prostitution.
States, counties, cities all receive some kinds of federal grants. They can decide not to investigate and prosecute prostitution, but if the Feds wants it done, they just have to with hold or cancel federal aids and locals would just have to comply.
IMO unlike marijuana issue, avoiding prosecuting prostitution would only make the problem worse.
The girls would advertise publicly, hang out on streets, accosting guys, creating public nuisance. Good women on the streets may be confused as prostitutes and lewdly accosted by men. Average citizens would lose the streets to hookers and pimps.
Counties and cities cannot enforce health or zoning codes, working conditions, taxation ect. When the laws make them illegal and should be in jail.
With anti-prostitution laws in the book, assholes can complain, I. E. Public nuisance ect and force local authorities to prosecute.
Being illegal without protection by laws, working girls and children are subjected to trafficking, exploitation, abuse, drugs addiction, causing other crimes.
Prostitutes should be allowed to conduct business how and where not violating the rights of the community. Their trade should be made legal and regulated, protected and taxed like all other businesses.
May be some women groups in a liberal county like San Francisco can take the leadership role and drive a change in state laws for the sake of their oppressed sisters.
[QUOTE=KCQuestor;5002605]The city or county can choose not to prosecute, or can set the fines absurdly low. This is what many cities have done for some drugs (not sure if we can mention it here, one that many states have legalized recreationally) that are are illegal in the state. In the college town near me, in the middle of a very intolerant state, the city charges a $1 fine for possession. The D.A. in my city has said they will not prosecute casual use, and possession of less than an ounce is a $25 fine.
If the LA County district attorney decided not to prosecute prostitutes, the state shouldn't have anything to do with it.[/QUOTE]