This week, we took a question submitted by a reader — who wished to remain anonymous — on the long-standing prostitution problem on Shotwell and Capp streets, and asked our candidates for District Nine supervisor how they would deal with the issue.
What would you do about the persistent and long standing prostitution problem on Shotwell and Capp streets?
Respuestas en español aquí.
Iswari España, Training Officer with the San Francisco Human Services Agency
Having worked for 16 years with youth/families exploited by this phenomenon, I can testify there is little support, resources and advocacy programs to solve this dilemma.
As Supervisor, I will develop comprehensive legislation with a human rights based approach that dedicates necessary funding for those who suffer exploitation and to those who enforce the law. As an immediate solution, I propose permanently assigning SFPD foot patrols to these areas for the safety of our residents and sex workers.
Long term, I will create of a task force that strategically patrols, advocates and refers victims to appropriate programs. I will build a partnership between service providers, law enforcement, and DA/PD offices to avoid blaming the victims. We should triple fine the “Johns.”
Hillary Ronen, Chief of Staff for Supervisor David Campos
Unfortunately street based sex work has been a means of survival for women who are homeless or in extreme poverty throughout history.
The current system of periodic police sweeps only push these women to near by streets like Shotwell, Treat, and San Carlos creating a cycle for the residents on these neighborhoods. Arresting these impoverished women means they are often on the street again shortly with fines and criminal records, which only further limits their opportunities for future employment.
As Supervisor, I would focus on getting these women resources like food and shelter, and more importantly support, and economic opportunities so that they can exit the cycle of arrest and sex work.
Melissa San Miguel, education advocate
We cannot tolerate people coming to our neighborhood to buy sex on the street. I grew up on these streets, and we must make sure they are safe for our families and those vulnerable people who engage in sex for survival.
To reduce activity on these blocks, we should focus on responding to the needs of those selling sex and apprehend the buyers. For instance, we can provide the option of social services to anyone engaged in sex for survival so they have a home, education and job opportunities. Any person who is being trafficked should have access to various social services as well. The police should focus on apprehending buyers and human traffickers, not those selling sex.
Joshua Arce, civil rights attorney and Community Liaison for Laborers Local 261
As a general matter, prostitution is often dangerous not just to sex workers or those being prostituted, but often to the surrounding community as well.
It is a person’s right to choose their means of economic self-sufficiency, but the reality is that prostitution remains a crime with woefully insufficient harm reduction measures. Prostitution, in its current form, is often a threat to the health and safety of most of the persons involved, too often involves the exploitation of vulnerable women and is a threat to the public safety of neighbors exposed to the dangers associated with the business and activity.
As Supervisor, I would work to improve economic opportunities and alternatives that provide meaningful skills and job training, which would not only benefit former sex workers but would also make our neighborhoods safer.
Edwin Lindo did not respond to this week’s question.
43 Questions is a weekly series — started 43 weeks before Election Day — to question the candidates running for District 9 supervisor. Send us questions to info@missionlocal.com and let us know in comments or in an email if you think candidates have answered as asked.
So horny guys are criminals and hoe’s are saints who need our unending support….. Yeah that kind of disconnect from reality will never solve the issue, just like treating homeless as saints and plowing 250 million dollars a year into supporting them did not and will not ever solve that issue.
Horny guys at criminals and “Hoes” as people that need our support is accurate. I lived on Capp for years and those women are slaves. The stories they tell would make anyone shudder. I think we should quadruple those fines for “johns” driving that trade and put up their pictures every time they’re busted.
Mission Local, I’ll say it again, this is a great segment!!! You are getting answers on a variety of subjects from the candidates and it is greatly appreciated. Prostitution in the Mission is rampant and needs to be addressed.
Please legalize it! We’d have less human trafficking, less std’s, less abuse of women, less money for pimps, and most important, less used condoms in my driveway! In addition, these women would have legit jobs meaing they would get social security and pay more taxes. Everybody wins…..except the pimps and human traffickers of course.
Who’s the candidate who is on the side of law and order? There are laws against all that bedevil us — homeless camps, crime, prostitution, garbage, etc. We just need someone who listens to us and takes action.
So far, I’ve learned who NOT to vote for (which is also quite useful.) Kudos for that.
As a five-year resident living in ground zero on Capp street, I feel compelled to share with the candidates that this is primarily a policing issue. What’s frustrating is anyone taking the romanticized idea of the struggling “sex worker” focused on the macro approach has essentially no clue what the heart of the issue is here – a de facto containment policy from the SFPD. Countless times my fellow neighbors and I have pleaded with neighborhood police to do something, anything to curb this problem. These woman don’t live in the city, they commonly travel here from the East Bay. Pimps won’t bring their prostitutes to a place where they will be caught. I doubt they would be able to openly do business in the Marina. Yes, prostitution is a symptom of any metropolitan but when it is literally on your front door step on any given Wednesday it is a major health and safety issue. I reached out to Supervisor Campos in earnest seeking at least a response out of due diligence but nothing of the sort was given. When I have contacted the police, a patrol car is sent to the area, and prostitutes hide behind vehicles and in the shadows briefly only to continue operating that night and every other. When a real effort is implemented with a plan for foot patrols, cruisers and apprehension of pimps prostitutes AND johns on a consistent and persistent basis we will see a drastic reduction in this epidemic. I never thought that a dash of broken window policy would be the answer but I think in this case it is merited.
Great segment Mission Local. And reading this makes me love the Mission even more – all the candidates have thoughtful answers that focus on finding help for the vulnerable people involved. Kudos to all of you – it’s fantastic to have so many great choices for supervisor.
As a long time resident of the area as well I can offer this – Several years ago the SFPD addressed the problem on Capp St. by taking photos of the “Johns” license plates and then sending letters to the owners of the vehicles with pictures of the car in the location warning them that the next time the vehicle was seen there in that location, arrests, fines, etc. would happen. Can you imagine Mrs. X opening the letter ? Anyway it reduced the prostitution by “starving” the prostitutes and the neighborhood became more peaceful again.
As the race for this seat continues, Hillary Ronen continues to show that she is unfit to fill the seat that her boss currently holds. We’re the ones paying for all these services that Hillary wants to provide while still living with prostitues. Hillary needs to pull out of the race as she continues to disqualify herself and doesn’t really understand the Mission in my opinion. Edwin Lindo has lost his soapbox now that his food strike is over. He’s made some strong points in the campaign but not answering this question is sad. Joshua Arce’s answer was disappointing as I think he’s the best option from this crop – bad answer Josh. The best response came from Iswari España. We need SFPD to insure our streets are safe for the residents who live there. Permanent foot patrols will not only help with the prostituion but all the recent break ins on South Van Ness and will help to keep the homeless from setting up camps in the Mission.
Agree totally Chuck.