Prostitution in the Neighborhood

New Plaza residents:

Please see the below helpful information recently shared by the Board of Directors of 1010 Massachusetts Ave., NW regarding prostitution in the neighborhood.

"Some unit owners and I have recently attended one or more of several meetings dealing with prostitution in Washington DC and in our neighborhood.We have spoken with police detectives, an undercover agent, police officers on the beat, non-profit representatives, and the ANC committee on public safety. We have learned that:

• Prostitution is big business and criminal elements run rings all over the country and up and down the east coast Route 95 corridor.
• Most sex workers are victims of human trafficking who have been recruited into the business at an average age of 13 and are under tight control of pimps and crime syndicates.
• Some sex workers are independent, however, they tend to provide outcall services and seek customers on Craigs List and Backroom.com.
• It is NOT illegal to walk the streets, even if provocatively dressed. Loitering may be subject to a warning or fine, but it is nothing more than a misdemeanor.
• Sex becomes illegal when there is a financial transaction between the buyer and the sex worker. It is only then that the police can make an arrest. Most illegal activities result in arrest when the police work undercover and set up stings. There were almost 700 arrests last year in Washington DC.
• Demand laws, that is those that apply to the buyers of sex, are very weak in Washington DC. Buyers usually walk away with a nominal fine unless they have previous criminal history.
• Stop Modern Slavery (stopmoderanslavery.org) is a local volunteer organization that is pushing for stronger “End Demand” laws.
• Do not ever approach sex victims trying to help. This can be extremely dangerous to the workers and to yourself, since their pimps or designated “watchers” are always present and attentive.

What can you do as neighborhood residents?

• First and foremost, NEVER put yourself at risk when you happen to observe illegal sex trafficking activity.
• If you observe illegal activity, call 911 or the Sex Traffic Hotline 888 373 7888. Provide as much information as you can: description; number of sex workers; auto tag number (discreet photo helpful, where possible); time of sighting; location
• If you see sex traffickers loitering in the vicinity of our building, please email DC Police Detective Steven Schwalm at steven.schwalm@dc.gov. He is interested in identifying and verifying locations of sex traffic. He was very helpful and informative when we met with him.
• Write and call our council member, Jack Evans, the City Council Chair, the Police Chief, the Mayor, our local ANC, and others who you think will or need to address this issue
• Pay attention to the views and positions on this issue of those who are running for Mayor in the Democratic primary on April 1, and consider this in your vote."