DC To Erect Prostitution-Free Zones During Inaugural Weekend

According to DCist, Washington, DC will be setting "Prostitution Free Zones" in various areas downtown during the Inauguration. This will be the most exciting city-wide clampdown on prostitutes since that time Mayor Marion Barry attempted to march them all out of the city across the 14th Street Bridge. Not to worry. These zones have an expiration date, after which Washington's hookers can re-exert their control over the city streets.

DCist's Sommer Mathis explains:

Truth be told, this isn't the first time the MPD has declared a PFZ. You can read about how the law works here, but the basic idea is that it allows police officers to issue fines of $300 to a group of two or more persons found congregating in a public space or property within the PFZ for the purpose of engaging in prostitution or prostitution-related offenses. Still, these signs are sure to look mighty funny to most people walking through the area on their way to the Inauguration on Tuesday.

Look for these signs, and abandon all hope:

I am told that these laws will not apply to Congresspersons, staffers, lobbyists or members of the national press, which is terribly unfortunate, because their crimes are legion.

Comments

[norepublicanleftbehind]

So, I guess all the politicians will watching from a bar outside of DC?

[Hdaryl01]

Cool......­..........­FREE......­..........­..........­.....PROST­ITUTION...­..........­..........­..........­......

[formerprosecutor]

I have never told this story before, for obviously embarassing reasons. I was in DC for the Anniversary of "Brown V Board" courtesy of HUD. We were staying at the Wardman. Having been confined for 4 days and friend of mine and I were restless and went out for a jog about 2 am. As we were running down the sidewalk we saw two very nervous looking young women dressed like Midwesterners at a cab stand, yet the cabs just went whizzing by. It was starting to rain. I thought , those girls should not be standing out here this time of night. So , jumped out in the street , flashed my badge at a cabby, who stopped immediately, and said there you go girls, get in. Obediently, they did. I was feeling all satisfied I thought I had stepped in and helped some vulnerable Midwest tourists out of a scary situation. My buddy says to me, " you realize those were prostitutes" Light bulb on head. "Well, they don't look like ours back home", is all I could lamely say. So, I don't how law enforcement are going to tell who is who to enforce this "ban".

[samandally]

My boyfriend and I had a similar experience while in DC, only difference was the midwestern looking young women were really men!

[TreadingWater]

Did they give you a group rate, or did you have to pay them each individually?

[ptsd6869]

WHAT'S SENATOR VITTER GOING TO DO FOR 4 DAYS?

[LolaP]

I thought prostitution was illegal anyway?

[esquire07]

Lol.... You can bet the biggest prostitutes and pimps will be inside the high end Inaugural Balls handing out cash to the prostitutes and pimps that infest the Government.

At least the Prostitutes in the streets are making an honest living... unlike the ones that frequent the halls of Congrees, the White House, and the Supreme Court.

[Retrofuturistic]

When I first saw the sign, I thought it said, "Constitution-free Zone".

[formerprosecutor]

Me too!

[ohiomark]

How is everyone going to keep warm while standing on the mall waiting for the Messiah to speak?

If they want to really make Washington DC into a "prostitution free zone", they need to shut down the entire Federal Government.

[formerprosecutor]

You dare to show your face arouind here? Guess what! we won! say it outloud

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!

[local21]

Prostitution free zones?

Obama is going to insist on receipts from all politicians as part of his transparency on the use of all Tarp funds.

[Wilbur]

So, no Congresspersons or lobbyists will be allowed beyond that boundary line, huh?

Wilbur

[Jaxy]

Very Interesting. It reminds me of a crime-fighting initiative that the City of Baltimore undertook about 7 years ago. They called it Operation "She's Hookin', He's Lookin', We're Bookin". No joke!

[useyourbrain]

Where will all the lobbyists and politicians be then?

[nomoreofthesame]

Prostitution-Free Zone, does that mean no Republicans?

[SouthPrairie]

No--you just don't have to pay! ;^)

[TheBaffler]

With the large number of visitors coming to town for the inauguration, there will be need for more services, not less. Expand it, put out ads for increased help with the greater demand. The economy needs every boost it can get, and there a capable-bodied people out of work who could use the temp work.

[DFutureIsNow]

That should keep republican politicians away, brilliant !!

[useyourbrain]

David Vitter's gonna freak.

[nanchassch]

don't worry, there's an expiration date