Publicizing Prostitutes’ Customers Is Opposed

Citing high costs, legal concerns and questions about its effectiveness, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a report Tuesday opposing a proposal to publish and televise the photos and names of men arrested for soliciting prostitutes.

The report, signed by LAPD Chief Willie Williams, says the proposal would cost the department as much as $387,500 per year to implement and that legal restrictions would allow the city to release photos only after the men are charged. The report also said that other cities that have implemented similar programs have reported mixed results.

Despite Williams’ report, the Police Commission delayed making a decision on the proposal Tuesday at the behest of Commissioner Edith R. Perez, who said she wanted to study the legal issues further.

The proposal was made last year by Councilman Hal Bernson as an effort to shame men away from soliciting prostitutes, particularly in certain parts of Van Nuys where police say prostitution has plagued neighborhoods and businesses.

Bernson proposed televising the photos on the city’s cable-access station and releasing the names to newspapers for publication.

But in addition to Williams’ concerns, the city attorney’s office has criticized the proposal, saying the city would face a “very, very, very substantial risk” of being sued if the wrong man is accused and his photo is published.

Williams’ report also says that police found four other cities with similar programs but located only one--New Haven, Conn.--where the local newspaper had agreed to publish the photos. But even in New Haven, police say they have not seen a significant drop in prostitute solicitation since the program began in 1988.

Nonetheless, Bernson attacked Williams, saying the department is simply unwilling to take on the prostitution problem.

“I think there is a lack of commitment on the part of the chief or whoever else is emanating this opinion to get rid of this problem,” he said.

Bernson said the Police Department has failed to balance the cost of the program with the cost of the damage that prostitution inflicts on business and neighborhoods where the problem is greatest.