Public Service Projects: Addressing Street Prostitution in Buffalo, NY

1. Public Service Projects: Addressing Street Prostitution in Buffalo, NY Pamela Beal, Director Regional Community Policing Center University at Buffalo uci.buffalo.edu/rcpc/rcpc.htm

2. The Problem • Complaints from the community: • paraphernalia, residents mistakenly solicited • Task: • provide data and computer mapping • Data: • E-911 calls for prostitution • nearly1000 in 1996 • Crime / arrest records: • Recidivism rates: Johns 8%, Prostitutes 66%

4. Building Coalitions • Buffalo Police Department • Prostitution Task Force • Erie County District Attorney • Buffalo City Court • Erie County Health Department • Social Service Providers • University at Buffalo

5. Response - Enforcement • Operation Johnny: Narcotics & Vice reverse sting • Pilot goes citywide to avoid displacement • Prostitute arrests decline, Johns increase • Approaches equity • Alternative sentencing for first time offenders: • John School - 1 day with $100 fee, talks from former prostitute, HIV/Aids education, ADA • Magdalene Program – 8 weeks; many stay 1 year

6. Arrests Prostitute vs. John

7. Community Outreach

8. Assessment • John School • recidivism less than 1% (5 in 600) • Magdelene Program • recidivism 3% (3 in 90) • Officer observation • from several arrests per wk to a few per month • 911 calls reduced by 60%

9. 911 Calls - Prostitution