LETTERS : Making the Case for Legalized Prostitution

The city of West Hollywood greatly needs to increase revenues at the least cost to the people who live in the community. An idea now under study in San Francisco should also be considered by West Hollywood: legalized, controlled and regulated prostitution.

There are many good reasons to legalize prostitution in a controlled environment. Prostitution could be restricted to legal brothels, thus greatly cutting down on street prostitution. Customers could be charged a “sin” tax (excise tax), and prostitutes a registration fee. Condom requirements would help avoid the spread of AIDS, and routine medical checkups could be implemented for the prostitutes.

Prostitutes would be less likely to be the victims of violent crime. This would also cut down on the drug traffic and related crime that one finds due to the illegal street prostitution.

The legalization of controlled and regulated prostitution should be studied as a possible revenue source, and as a pragmatic solution to the problems associated with street prostitution. Street prostitution has always been rampant in the city, and the world’s oldest profession is not likely to go away.

MICHAEL L. STEMPEL

West Hollywood