VAN NUYS : Roberti Backs Effort to Curb Prostitution

State Sen. David Roberti (D-Van Nuys) on Tuesday threw his support behind several proposals by a Van Nuys homeowners group to deal with prostitution, including mandatory AIDS testing for some and publishing the names of convicted customers. Responding to a petition circulated by the Van Nuys Homeowners Assn. and signed by more than 1,000 residents, a spokesperson for Roberti said the senator backs most of the petition’s measures.

The petition asks the Los Angeles Police Department to publish the names, auto license numbers and date of conviction in local newspapers. In addition, the petition calls for mandatory acquired immune deficiency syndrome testing of prostitutes and customers upon a second conviction.

For those with more than one conviction, the petition recommends mandatory 30-day incarceration of prostitutes and medical custody for prostitutes and customers who test positive for the AIDS virus.

“They are extreme measures,” said Sandy Miller, a Roberti aide. “But unfortunately, to stop prostitution, you have to show the prostitutes and the johns that they will be severely punished if they do not stop.”

The only other proposal on the petition--revoking the driver’s license of an offender upon his or her second conviction--did not receive Roberti’s support.

Don Schultz, president of the homeowner group, was pleased with Roberti’s response. “Hopefully, this is going to be a step in the right direction in cleaning up prostitution locally. What happens is it often feeds into the homes surrounding Sepulveda Boulevard, where the prostitutes bring their johns,” he said.

The next step, Miller said, will be for Roberti’s legislative staff to review the petition.

But Albert I. Kaufman, an Encino civil rights lawyer, said the current petition may run into constitutional challenges. He said publishing the auto license number could be invasion of privacy and infection with the AIDS virus does not justify revocation of an individual’s civil liberties.