The more you know....

On May 25, 2000, the Eugene Police Commission published its Findings and Recommendations To Address Street Level Prostitution [pdf]. Some excerpts from the report show that not much has really changed in the six-plus years since.

From the report (all bold emphasis mine):

"Street level prostitution in the area adjoining 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Avenues between Washington St. and Chambers St. has re-emerged as a serious neighborhood and community issue. "Johns" frequently cruise this area repeatedly to solicit prostitutes and frequently solicit sex from uninvolved youth and adults in the area....
...[police] operations must be repeated regularly to prevent the problem from recurring...
... a more comprehensive approach to the problem could be more cost effective...
... nearly all of the 35 women engaging in street level prostitution in West Eugene are adults addicted to heroin or cocaine...
... just over 200 "johns" have been arrested in Eugene over the last three years...
... about 60 percent of the "johns" are from Eugene, 30 percent are from Lane County outside Eugene and the remaining 10 percent are from outside of Lane County.
... whatever ones views of prostitution might be, State law makes it a crime...
... the precursor problems that produce prostitution... include drug addiction, childhood sexual abuse, poor education and job skills, and mental illness. Effective prevention, intervention and treatment is needed to reduce the number of girls and women who are in the trade...
... prostitution produces numerous public health and safety problems. Sexually transmitted diseases are a significant risk from this activity...
... studies have found that nearly all violence against prostitutes happens to street prostitutes. The amount of this violence is significant and provides another reason to focus efforts on street level prostitution...
... prostitution has a serious and negative impact... by reducing the livability of central neighborhoods...
... in other communities, street prostitution has been a significant factor producing urban blight...

So... exactly how far has Eugene come in their address of this issue? If you live in this neighborhood, you know the answer. This problem has gone on long enough. I am absolutely done with the women and girls who are my neighbors being solicited by these cretins. I am equally through with the men of the neighborhood being looked upon as solicitors just for driving through the area. Trust me, this endeavor is in no way in danger of ending. As long as the safety, comfort, and well-being of the residents of this community is an issue, my camera, my keyboard, and my time will be well-spent here.