Seattle Council targets sex trade, gun violence
New bill aims to dismantle sex trade, reduce gun violence in Seattle
A video presented to Seattle City Council’s Public Safety Committee reveals a neighbourhood troubled by prostitution and frequent gunfights. Councilmember Cathy Moore is pushing for new legislation to manage arrests related to prostitution and loitering, and to establish Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution (SOAP) zones, which could lead to charges if violated.
Moore stated, “This legislation aims to dismantle the violent criminal structure of the commercial sex trade by targeting buyers, known as johns, and promoters, identified as pimps, while promoting alternatives like social services, safe houses, and treatment for the sellers, mainly women and girls.”
The video showcased included scenes from Aurora Avenue in North Seattle, capturing sex trade activities and subsequent gun violence from this year.
CM Cathy Moore explains why this bill is distinct from prior loitering laws. "This bill allows us to go after buyers"…"It states front and center that for the women, the preference is diversion." pic.twitter.com/UsXuR2bJIe
— Caitlyn McKenney (@CaitlynMcKenney) August 14, 2024
A time-lapse in the video illustrates several women being trafficked and sold on a street corner between midnight and 1 a.m., with various vehicles picking them up.
Footage from 7 March shows a vehicle driving on N. 101st St., with another vehicle turning the corner and firing over 30 shots.
On 10 June, the same location saw a vehicle speeding away as two men stepped into the street and began firing pistols at the vehicle.
Another shootout occurred on 6 July at the same corner, where a man in a black shirt opened fire on five others, all while prostitutes were soliciting business.
Dana Mogillo, owner of Fuzzy Buddy’s Dog Daycare on Aurora Avenue, discussed the unsafe conditions near her business in the video shown to the committee.
Mogillo stated, “We’ve been here for 20 years… It’s become a very challenging place to run a business. It is unsafe with visible signs of crime day and night.”
She recounted an incident where a staff member found a sex worker hiding between cars in their parking lot. A pimp had dropped the girl off to fight another sex worker, but she chose to hide instead. Mogillo’s staff member eventually drove the frightened woman to another location on Aurora Avenue.
Mogillo also shared an event from May when a terrified woman, abducted from another city and forced to work on the street corner, sought refuge at her business for four hours until someone from her town arrived to take her back. “This is what sex trafficking looks like,” Mogillo said.
Detective Maurice Washington of the Seattle Police Department highlighted the surge in trafficking-related incidents both locally and nationwide. He noted the increase in sexual exploitation in Seattle, leading to territorial disputes among pimps and traffickers, resulting in gun violence and other crimes like robberies and rapes.
Washington explained that the same system fuels these crimes, with gang associations adding to the complexity and danger for the public and residents.
The Seattle Police Department didn’t respond to requests for comments.
Moore explained that her legislation aims to enhance public safety for residents, businesses, and students passing through affected areas. She emphasised that the city cannot continue to tolerate such levels of gun violence and sexual exploitation.
Moore mentioned that she consulted with constituents, the YWCA, the police department’s Major Crimes unit, and the Human Trafficking unit before drafting the proposed legislation.
The new bill allows police to target buyers without undercover officers, which Moore described as degrading for women posing as sex workers. It also introduces diversion tactics, enabling officers to offer help and professional services to sex workers.
In Seattle, prostitution is illegal, though Moore noted that many people are unaware of this. Promoting prostitution is a felony requiring testimony from sex workers, which poses additional risks and complicates case-building.
The bill also directs the Human Services Department and mayor’s office to create a programme for advocates to assist individuals with prostitution-related convictions, aiming to expunge these from records to aid in job and housing applications.
Moore didn’t immediately respond to requests for comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the new legislation proposed by Seattle Councilmember Cathy Moore?
It establishes policies for arrests involving prostitution, creates SOAP zones, and emphasizes diversion for sex workers.
What are SOAP zones?
SOAP zones are Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution zones that, if violated, could result in charges.
How does the proposed legislation aim to address sex trafficking?
It focuses on arresting buyers and promoters, while offering social services and treatment to sex workers.
What challenges did Detective Maurice Washington highlight?
He mentioned the rising number of trafficking incidents, territorial fights among pimps, and associated gun violence.
What is the purpose of the work program mentioned in Moore’s bill?
The program aims to help individuals with prostitution-related convictions scrub their records for job and housing applications.
