Carrying three condoms or more, you could be arrested for prostitution

[goddess_nemesis]

In Washington, DC; New York City; and San Francisco, police have used condoms as evidence of prostitution.

In Washington, DC, in particular, police can declare "Prostitution Free Zones" for a period of ten days during which they may clear the area and make arrests of any people who are believed to be "congregating for the purpose of engaging in prostitution or prostitution-related offenses" and who refuse to leave the Zone.

In those Zones, the police don't need probable cause to arrest you. If you're in the Zone and they suspect you of prostitution, they can arrest you. And if you're carrying three or more condoms, that can be used as evidence of your intent to sell sex.

New York City and San Francisco police have used condoms as well as evidence of prostitution.

There's a petition that was started by Change.org to tell the mayors of DC, NYC, and San Francisco that possession of condoms shouldn't be used as evidence of prostitution. If you agree, please sign the petition.

 

[drewskee]

You gotta be shitting me.

And here I was thinking that my city didn't give a shit about prostitution.

 

[Mitchell]

The person who made that law is really a genius. What happens if, for instance, a guy in a relationship goes out to buy a box of condoms as birth control protection, because he doesnt want to get his wife or gf pregnant, or if a gay man wants to buy a box of condoms, as protection against STD or Aids from anal sex. Trojans come in boxes of three, twelve, or even 24.

That law should be abolished, because it is bullshit. Oh, and what a genius law anyway, because all a guy would need for one session with a call girl is one condom, duh.

That is one of the stupidest laws I've ever heard of.

Mitch

 

[Sweed]

What a stupid law! :S
Too bad you can't sign it unless you're from the US. :/

 

[Flatfoot]

I'm willing to bet that the condoms are being used as added evidence when police catch people who "look the part". They're not gonna stop average Joe walking outta Walgreen's with a box of Trojans and say "Surprise! You're goin' to jail for being a hooker!" They're probably looking for Suzy Streetwalker with the torn fishnets, short skirt, hooker-boots, and trashy make-up, as she stands on street corners for no apparent reason, occasionally having conversations through other people's car windows.

 

[goddess_nemesis]

I'm willing to bet that the condoms are being used as added evidence when police catch people who "look the part". They're not gonna stop average Joe walking outta Walgreen's with a box of Trojans and say "Surprise! You're goin' to jail for being a hooker!" They're probably looking for Suzy Streetwalker with the torn fishnets, short skirt, hooker-boots, and trashy make-up, as she stands on street corners for no apparent reason, occasionally having conversations through other people's car windows.

I'm sure that's what they're doing. Though I've seen plenty of young women who like to dress a little slutty.

But it's still dumb because, yeah, they're targetting sex workers. Do they really want those hookers to stop using condoms just so the cops won't use them as evidence against them? Do they want hookers to have unsafe sex and risk spreading STDs? DC already has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the country.

 

[FootballGuy]

I'm willing to bet that the condoms are being used as added evidence when police catch people who "look the part". They're not gonna stop average Joe walking outta Walgreen's with a box of Trojans and say "Surprise! You're goin' to jail for being a hooker!" They're probably looking for Suzy Streetwalker with the torn fishnets, short skirt, hooker-boots, and trashy make-up, as she stands on street corners for no apparent reason, occasionally having conversations through other people's car windows.

Exactly.

But it's still dumb because, yeah, they're targetting sex workers. Do they really want those hookers to stop using condoms just so the cops won't use them as evidence against them? Do they want hookers to have unsafe sex and risk spreading STDs? DC already has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the country.

Good point. The last thing we need in this country is for AIDs to spread. I only hope that the hookers just carry one condom with them instead and keep a supply somewhere nearby. Seems like a reasonable solution.

 

[Bugman]

One can only hope this will be challenged in court, and that common sense will prevail.

 

[MrMacphisto]

Just legalize and regulate prostitution. There's no sense in prosecuting a consensual act between 2 adults.

 

[Bugman]

Just legalize and regulate prostitution. There's no sense in prosecuting a consensual act between 2 adults.

This. 😀

 

[tkpatience]

our hard tax dollars at work 🙂

 

[Radiohead 7140]

phew. good thing i don't use condoms

 

[Maestro1874]

In a related story, Rachel Ray was arrested in San Fran today for intent to commit mass murder because she was found carrying a large box of knives around...

It also appears that three men sitting in their cars in their driveways were issued speeding citations because their cars were capable of going over the speed limit...

 

[Mephistopheles]

Just legalize and regulate prostitution. There's no sense in prosecuting a consensual act between 2 adults.

That has been working fine here for quite some time now.

 

[Coup de Grace]

What a load of crap. The Police are just going after hookers because they're an easy target. Try catching some REAL criminals.

 

[milagros317]

I'm willing to bet that the condoms are being used as added evidence when police catch people who "look the part". They're not gonna stop average Joe walking outta Walgreen's with a box of Trojans and say "Surprise! You're goin' to jail for being a hooker!" They're probably looking for Suzy Streetwalker with the torn fishnets, short skirt, hooker-boots, and trashy make-up, as she stands on street corners for no apparent reason, occasionally having conversations through other people's car windows.

Exactly. It's a law that allows cops to use selective enforcement and get people that they don't like off the streets. That's why it should be abolished. Selective enforcement of the law is the hallmark of tyranny.

 

[fireguardian]

Wow that one is right up there with the one in PA saying that if 6 or more woman live together it's a brothel. We aren't suppose to have sorority houses.

 

[paracarl44]

I think this should be added to "The Silly Laws" thread.

 

[tickler118]

But standard packs of condoms come with 3 condoms...

 

[Lord Doctor]

Beyond the obvious extremes like murder, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, laws, or rather how laws and sentences are applied have bugger all by way of common sense.