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

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%

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

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

Arrests Prostitute vs. John

Community Outreach

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%

911 Calls - Prostitution