Strategies against prostitution

BY ERIK MCCLANAHAN

According to the City of Minneapolis Communications Department, several initiatives have been set up to more effectively address prostitution in the city.
Minneapolis Police response teams have increased the number of undercover details in targeted precincts. The teams have been conducting undercover operations with a focus on “Johns,” in which police seize vehicles of those arrested for soliciting prostitution.

Tougher prosecutions have been implemented for those engaging in, or paying for, prostitution. Whenever a person is arrested for prostitution the police will book the person on a “probable cause gross misdemeanor prostitution” charge, rather than “tagging” them or issuing a citation for a misdemeanor. Absent any extenuating circumstances, the City Attorney’s Office will seek a guilty plea to a gross misdemeanor prostitution charge.

According to Minnesota Statute 609.321, subdivision 8, prostitution means engaging or offering or agreeing to engage for hire in sexual penetration or sexual contact. A patron, or "John," is an individual who hires or offers or agrees to hire another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact as stated by subdivision 4.

Minnesota Statute 609.324, subdivision 2 states: Whoever solicits or accepts solicitation to engage for hire in sexual penetration or sexual contact while in a public place may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000 or both. A person who is convicted of violating this subdivision while acting as a patron must, at a minimum, be sentenced to pay a fine of at least $1,500.