Aldermen consider impounding john cars to curb prostitution
By Stuart R. Wahlin
Staff Writer
Members of the Rockford City Council Codes and Regulations Committee will soon weigh the merits of amending the city’s solicitation ordinance to take a tougher stance against prostitution. The measure, brought forth by Jennifer Cacciapaglia, a city attorney, would allow police to impound vehicles used during solicitation of a sexual act.
“My thought is to model it after the sound amplification ordinance,” Cacciapaglia indicated. “I am chair of a committee called RAASE (Rockford Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation), and that committee is pushing this ordinance. The idea is to utilize fees for intervention and rehab programs for victims of sexual exploitation.”
Recently, during undercover operations, police have shifted their focus from arresting prostitutes to charging those who patronize them. Additionally, news organizations have been encouraged to publicize the names and photographs of those arrested.
The proposed amendment will come before the Codes and Regulations Committee for consideration Aug. 16.
From the Aug. 11-17, 2010 issue
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One Comment
I thought we had already been doing this as I remember this idea being brought up before as a city ordinance, didn’t we do anything then???
Yes, impound their cars and continue publishing names and photos.
How come when RRS’s staff member … was arrested for [alleged] solicitation and HIS picture never was published in the RRS?? And he is still a staff member, imagine that, NO integrity on the RRS staff! SURPRISED, not.