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Wayne Co.
prosecutor seeks way to cut crime
November 14, 2002
by ERIK LORDS
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
People convicted of soliciting a prostitute in Detroit might
soon find themselves exposed on public-access television.
Wayne County Prosecutor Michael Duggan said Wednesday that
he has been working with Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and
Police Chief Jerry Oliver in recent weeks to create a
metro-Detroit version of Denver's "Johns TV," a cable
program that shows the faces and lists the names of people
convicted of soliciting prostitutes.
Duggan said many of Detroit's prostitution customers --
commonly referred to as johns live in suburbs and outlying
areas.
The program will let people know that "once you are
convicted, we are going to put your name out there, so your
neighbors will know, and your family will know," said
Maurice Morton, deputy chief of drug operations for the
Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
"If you come into Detroit to get a hooker, the whole world
will know."
Duggan said Denver city officials report that the TV program
and the posting of convicted johns on the city's Web site
have helped cut prostitution solicitation by about 40
percent.
The metro Detroit project will focus on convictions in
Detroit at first but could expand to neighboring cities,
depending on the project's effectiveness. The plan is to air
the show throughout metro Detroit, Morton said. Officials
also are considering posting the information on the city's
Web site.
Morton said talks are scheduled with area cable officials
and police. Detroit cable officials could not be reached
Wednesday for comment.
The cable program could begin airing by early spring, Morton
said.
"It will run on public-access TV, and we figure the cost
will be nominal," Morton said.
Detroit for years has confiscated the cars of anyone
soliciting an undercover officer posing as a prostitute. The
television show would step up anti-prostitution efforts,
said Detroit Police Deputy Chief Harold Cureton.
"We're taking steps to improve the quality of life, and that
includes taking a very aggressive stance against
prostitution," Cureton said. "We have to take a hard stance
on prostitution because it's getting out of hand."
When asked if he anticipated opposition to the plan, Morton
said: "We haven't done it yet, so we haven't heard any of
that yet. But we don't anticipate many problems."
Kary Moss, executive director of the American Civil
Liberties Union of Michigan, said, "Obviously we are not
going to be very happy about this. We've long ago lost the
tradition of public flogging. It's cruel to embarrass people
in the public square.
"I would doubt that they have solid data showing that this
type of flogging deters future crimes," Moss added.
When told that "Johns TV" became one of the most popular
shows ever to air on Denver's public-access channels, Moss
said:
"The National Enquirer is widely read also. It doesn't mean
it's a good thing to do."
The key is to erase the problem, and television could help,
Cureton said.
"I think it'll be a deterrent," Cureton said. "Nobody wants
to be on TV. There's an old saying, 'What you do in the dark
will come to light.' And no one wants it to come to light
that they solicit prostitutes."
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