Prostitution arrests in Seattle draw council criticism

For the last few years, the approach has been to see prostitutes as victims and focus on criminally prosecuting their customers instead.

But as published on Crosscut, Seattle Police are arresting more prostitutes on Aurora Avenue.

The article was released on the same day Deputy Police Chief Marc Garth-Green appeared before the City Council's Budget Committee.

"We have people that are working the streets that aren't necessary substance abusers. They have homes. Some of them choose to do what they're doing."

Garth-Green said a young prostitute told him, "She was there to make money and enjoyed it."

Councilmembers quickly pushed back.

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Budget chair Sally Bagshaw said, "The idea that we can conclude that women are prostituting themselves for a choice is something that is almost shocking to even say."

"Those folks who are working on the street are not making a daily choice to go out there. They have in many cases resorted to the last option to sustain," added councilmember Teresa Mosqueda/

Later, on Twitter, Garth-Green insisted:

"For people trafficked in prostitution, jail can be a safer place than out on the street."

"I'm sorry, that's like saying that you need to burn down the village in order to save it. This is dishonest and horrifying logic that must be rejected entirely," said Councilmember Kshama Sawant.

Garth-Green wasn't available for an interview, but we were able to sit down with the captain in charge of the High-Risk Victims Unit. "I think any time they can be off the street anywhere that night, it's far better than being out there. It's just too prone for harm," said Mike Edwards.

Asked if he'd ever heard sex workers say they prefer that life he responded: "Oh sure, sure, but we don't believe them. We'll hear that comment, of course, but we know there's a lot of coercive attitude going on either from pimps or other women who are engaged in trying to get new girls out there."

Aurora business owner Cheryl Franz was pleased when she saw a police operation a few nights ago.

"It's been very helpful to have, the more police officers around the better off we are."

Though she believes that the focus should remain on the customers more than the prostitutes.

"It looked to me like they were arresting more customers than the prostitutes, which as a business owner I would like to see that, 'cause if there is no demand there is no supply.'"

Cox Media Group