The Effects of Prostitution on North Minneapolis Residents

Transcription

1 The Effects of Prostitution on North Minneapolis Residents Prepared by Jennifer Gustavson Research Assistant, University of Minnesota Conducted on behalf of the Folwell Center for Urban Initiatives July, 2007 This report (NPCR 1255) is also available on the CURA website:

2 July, 2007 Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR) supported the work of the author of this work, but has not reviewed it for publication. The content is solely the responsibility of the author and is not necessarily endorsed by NPCR. NPCR is coordinated by the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs at the University of Minnesota. NPCR is supported by grants from The Minneapolis Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, The Bremer Foundation, and The St. Paul Travelers Foundation. Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization 330 Hubert H. Humphrey Center th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN phone: 612/ website:

3 The Effects of Prostitution on North Minneapolis Residents Short Report 3-07

4 The Effects of Prostitution on North Minneapolis Residents Qualitative Short Report Introduction and Background Stakeholders in north Minneapolis have identified prostitution as a significant cause for concern - negatively impacting the neighborhoods. The Prostitution Project, a program of Folwell Center for Urban Initiatives, set out to document and assess the extent, scope and nature of prostitution in north Minneapolis and its effects on residents, businesses and people in prostitution with the goal of decreasing the negative impacts of prostitution. During the fall of 2006, we interviewed 12 residents of north Minneapolis about prostitution and 49 people who live or work on the Northside filled in an online survey about prostitution. Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR) at CURA provided a half-time University of Minnesota Undergraduate Research Assistant, Jennifer Gustavson, to conduct the interviews on our behalf. Ms. Gustavson is a senior in the Family Social Science department with a social work minor in Family Violence Prevention. This report was prepared by Jennifer Gustavson and Lauren Martin (Ph.D.), Director of Research at Folwell Center. Project Methods The project contacted residents through and phone calls, and with flyers posted in 20 local businesses, churches, community and childcare centers. These methods covered the Willard-Hay, Jordan, Hawthorne, McKinley and Folwell neighborhoods in north Minneapolis. Residents were given the choice between an interview and an online survey at Residents were eager to do the online survey and post information about the project. But, we encountered difficulties finding people who were willing to be interviewed, despite assurances of anonymity. Half of the people we contacted for an interview (13 out of 25) said they did not want to be interviewed. They provided several reasons: some said they did not see prostitution; others said that shootings and drugs were bigger issues on the Northside than prostitution; most were very concerned about their anonymity, even those who eventually agreed to be interviewed. The topic of prostitution itself presented difficulties. Despite Ms. Gustavson s careful wording of requests for interview, several people believed they were contacted because we thought they were involved in prostitution or that they knew people who were involved in prostitution. We were very clear that the interview would be about prostitution in the neighborhoods and that we in no way believed them to be involved with prostitution. We emphasized that the purpose of the project was to improve the Northside communities and neighborhoods. (At the end of the conversation, no one believed we thought they were involved in prostitution.) Project results are a combination of information collected from the interviews and online surveys. We did not collect statistical information because the sample size is too small. But, we believe the qualitative information we gathered from knowledgeable residents is useful in helping us understand prostitution on the Northside. Demographic information and percentages pertain only to the interviews, as we did not collect this kind of information from the online survey. However, comments from the online survey reflect the same themes and issues brought up in the more in depth interviews. 2

5 Project Participants The project deliberately sought a wide-range of participants for interviews, reflecting the diversity of the Northside. Interviewees ranged in age from their late twenties to their early seventies. Half were people of color and half were Caucasian. The majority of people interviewed were female (83%). The online survey requested mostly qualitative information. While we know online participants are a diverse group, we do not know the exact age, ethnicity and gender of online participants. All 12 individuals who agreed to be interviewed have called the police at least once to report loitering, being solicited and/or seeing an act of prostitution. Two of the interviewees video-tape people in prostitution and give the tapes to the police. One resident organized a neighborhood effort to stop a john who frequented their neighborhood in a business truck. The neighbors called the business owner to report that they saw the truck driver picking up prostitutes. Therefore, this sample represents residents who are already quite active on the issue of prostitution but not necessarily north Minneapolis as a whole. However, the information paints a picture of four different neighborhoods and provides information from knowledgeable residents who want to help improve their communities. Information provided by online participants is in tune with information garnered from the interviews. Project Findings Residents see prostitution in a variety of locales in north Minneapolis. Penn Avenue North was frequently mentioned by name; sixty-six percent of interviewees said they regularly see prostitution on Penn Ave, between 25th and 29th Avenues North. As a category, abandoned houses and bus stops were among the most mentioned prostitution locations. Many interviewees talked about block initiatives to board up abandoned houses in their areas by working with the police and local government specifically to curb the prostitution activity on the block and increase safety. Residents are both angry and frustrated about prostitution; but also displayed empathy towards people who prostitute themselves. A person we interviewed said: The prostitutes look haggard, addicted to something, dirty and sick. We received this comment online: I have mixed emotions about prostitution. I feel that it is a way of life for some women that see no way out and feel sad that women may not have any resources to get out. It does annoy me when I am driving to and from work and see a drugged up prostitute. Many interviewees described how prostitution affects them and the children in the neighborhoods. One resident regularly sees children at their school bus stop stand next to prostitutes. A youth worker submitted this statement online: It really bothers me that they [teenagers] are constantly exposed to open air prostitution and drug dealing. Some residents believe that when children witness prostitution they see it as a legitimate job option. According to one resident:, The kids just do what they know, and follow the examples they are given. Residents reported being scared to conduct daily activities like taking their trash out after dark and walking to the bus-stops because of prostitution activity in their yards, alleys and streets. Many have intense feelings of anger towards the people in prostitution, especially johns who they believe are from the surrounding suburbs. One interviewee commented, It embarrasses me and angers me that we have to have it in the neighborhood. Property values are low. I want to sell my house and I can t. 3

6 Project Findings (Continued) All the interviewees saw a link between the issues of prostitution and drugs; as did many online participants. An online respondent wrote: Remove it [prostitution] from my neighborhood and lock up offenders because it leads to drug deals happening in front of my house. Residents see that prostitution and drugs fuel each other; where there is one, the other is also present. One resident explained prostitution as a logical alternative for some women on the Northside. It s just like what the guys do when they sell drugs, the girls are just selling a different kind of product. Some residents are angry at the police because they feel the issue of prostitution is not adequately addressed. One resident commented that she has heard of prostitutes that have been arrested hundreds of times but because of limited sentencing and light charges, they are right back on the street. This process has been nicknamed catch and release. Most interviewees, despite their anger and frustration, believe the police are doing the best they can with limited resources. One resident stated that while she knows the police are busy and cannot do everything; to her prostitution seems stationary and easy for law enforcement to find. It is on the same corner, everyday. She commented: Put a freakin cop on the street corner and let them stand there every day. Something Several people who responded to the online survey suggested that prostitution should be either legalized or moved to a specific red light district as a way to move it out of the residential neighborhoods. Many residents want to see an increased focus on johns. One online respondent said: The real issue is getting rid of the johns coming here from the suburbs and other neighborhoods. I don t think prosecuting the individuals prostituting themselves is helpful it s the customers we need to get rid of! Key Findings: Many residents and their children feel negatively effected by prostitution in their everyday lives. Residents are angry and frustrated about prostitution, yet also feel empathy for the women and men who work the streets. Residents have a complex view of prostitution and agree that there is not just one answer to the problem. One said they don t really have an answer. Rather, residents advocate for a multipronged approach working with law enforcement and service provision. Residents would like to work with each other, law enforcement and community groups against prostitution. Many people who responded online want to focus more attention on johns and clients. Residents see prostitution as embedded with other Northside issues such as gangs, guns, drugs, and poverty. Additional Resident Quotes: We re never going to end prostitution. But we can give kids choices. Prostitution is like a drug, it s a fix, always wanting more money. We need to offer services and options for these kids. Target johns and write down their license plates and send them letters or put them online. Maybe put pictures of prostitutes online. It contributes to blight in some neighborhoods, but I would consider it a very minor problem in my immediate area. 4

7 Residents Ideas for Reducing Prostitution In addition to expressing anger, frustration and empathy, many residents have ideas for how to improve the situation; ranging from support for local projects and outreach specifically for people in prostitution to criticism of law enforcement, the legal system and a lack of community involvement. Residents Idea #1: Services for prostitutes The overall feeling from the residents who participated in this project was empathy for people in prostitution. Residents believe solutions must be multi-pronged, addressing all of the community issues: health care, poverty, institutional racism, housing, child care, crime and drug trafficking. For example residents see connections between drug selling and using and the issue of prostitution. Many suggested that parents on the Northside need more support to help youth stay out of prostitution. Residents want services for people in prostitution to be more visible in the community. Some interviewees mentioned the PRIDE program an effective, useful organization that should be encouraged and supported on the Northside. They also mentioned treatment programs, short-term housing, job services, and specialized health clinics for people in prostitution. Mentorship and afterschool programs for youth were suggested as affordable tools for prostitution prevention with youth. Residents would like to see more outreach work for people in prostitution. One resident said: They [prostitutes] aren t going to just come in a fill out paperwork, we need to be out in the community. Residents Idea #2: Community Involvement in Abatement Initiatives 75 % of residents interviewed wanted to see more opportunities for their neighborhoods to organize and get together; many online surveys echoed this same theme. Residents voiced support for block clubs, community center meetings and an on-going community discussion about prostitution and other issues that are hurting the Northside. The Lowry Corner Project was mentioned specifically as a good and effective program, and the Broadway Beat was also highlighted as a good way to get information out to the public quickly and efficiently. Residents pointed to the roles that church and community involvement can play in connecting neighbors and really rallying together to improve their local blocks and neighborhoods. Many want to keep prostitution in community conversation to raise awareness and promote continued action on the issue. Residents Idea #3: Law Enforcement Strategies Many residents expressed the need to help immigrant families know that they can call the police to report issues around prostitution. In response to what many view as catch and release, some residents suggested that law enforcement should have a zero tolerance policy towards prostitution; Call 911 every time you see suspicious activity. Most residents want to see the police and the courts have more punitive power once individuals are arrested. Many suggested an increased focus on johns (i.e. clients). One survey called for, equal prosecution for johns and girls. But many believe law enforcement should work in tandem with more services and support for people in prostitution. 5

8 Acknowledgements Research for this report was conducted by Jennifer Gustavson a senior at the University of Minnesota and funded by Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization at CURA. From Folwell Center for Urban Initiatives, Lauren Martin supervised the project and Vann Ek provided technical support. Most importantly we would like to thank the Northside residents that participated in this project. Folwell Center for Urban Initiatives th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN (612) (612) [Fax] laurenm@folwell.org