Wednesday, February 06, 2013

C  I  T  Y    O  F    A  T  L  A  N  T  A

The Atlanta City Council’s Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee to discuss ordinance designed to stem prostitution in the city

ATLANTA – The Atlanta City Council’s Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee will hold a work session roundtable discussion on proposed Ordinance 13-O-0025 – legislation designed to stem prostitution in the city.

Monday’s Public Safety and Legal Administration work session has been scheduled to allow more discussion and to provide other members of the Atlanta City Council and social service providers an opportunity to offer their input.

The work session will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 11, 2013 in Council Committee Room No. 2, Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue S.W.

The legislation is a response to concerns brought to the Atlanta Police Department by communities dealing with street level prostitution and the myriad crimes that accompany it.

Based on annual statistics, Atlanta police would target specific geographical areas where prostitution has a high frequency.  

A first offense would result in a mandatory 180 day sentence, of which 165 days can be served on probation with the special condition of banishment from pre-determined areas of prostitution. The probation term can also, with the recommendation of the City Solicitor and at the discretion of the judge, include referral to a diversionary program.

A second conviction would result in a mandatory 180 day sentence, of which 120 days can be served on probation with the special condition of banishment from the pre-determined area of prostitution. As with the first conviction, the probation term can include referral to a diversionary program.

Third and subsequent convictions would result in a mandatory 180 days to be served in the City jail.

More about the proposal

·         The legislation was submitted by the Atlanta Police Department;

·         It is based on a similar law in Seattle, Washington;

For more information on the proposed ordinance, contact Carlos Campos, Atlanta Police Department at 404-546-4212