A Sorry Event
The photographs depicting the city sweep of streetwalkers on El Cajon Boulevard published Jan. 29 are, in essence, illustrating an unconscionable action against these women.
Mounties rounding women up and trucking them off to jail simply because of where they are and what they look like is a dangerous act, not a heroic one. Raising the bail and altering the usual booking procedures for street prostitutes purely in the interest of keeping them out of sight in “honor” of a sporting spectacle and those who want to spend money on it, sets a frightening civil precedent.
Ballyhooing the cleanliness of “America’s Finest City” and sweeping those so-called criminals off the streets is an act comparable to that of a host hiding dust balls under the bed while allowing deadly chemicals to coat the guests’ dinner plates.
If the city officials and law enforcement personnel were really concerned about the welfare of San Diegans and tourists, they would spend their valuable time scouring the drug dealers off our street corners and vacuuming drunk drivers off our highways.
JANUARY RIDDLE
National Organization for Women
San Diego County Chapter
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