tomf

Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.

This has been going on for years, since they can't stop it, compromise and try to control it. Don't uses decoys, when they do it brings more Johns to the area and when they do we have women out there who look like prostitutes. There are more Johns than prostitutes. "Persuade" these women and have the activity happen at 3am so we don't have to see it at least.

Marcy

Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.

I cannot believe some of the stuff I am reading, don't move into the neighborhood?? Ypsilanti has some fine neighborhoods in the area, of course I am going to move in. I did, four years ago. Yes, I expect the Ypsilanti police to clean up the riff raft! Those girls/men do not have any rights to destroy our neighborhoods or parks. They are not paying property taxes to maintain the streets and park where they do their work. Working girls = drugs = crime. Great Job Ypsilanti...now can we get rid of the drug dealers on those bikes???

Mick52

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 11:14 p.m.

The folks owning property and sending their children to schools near this area are making the best points. Like what krc, Martin Church, and Angela posted. Also abuse from pimps. Drug abuse. Also prostitution is an extremely dangerous business. Prostitutes have always been easy and common victims of sadists and serial killers. So it is a problem and needs attention.

krc

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 1:02 p.m.

I forgot this: For those of you who don't live in these neighborhoods, how would you like to have the disgusting task of picking up used condoms and the danger of picking up used needles from your yards and the possibility that the very place you put your foot has been soaked with urine? Families with children have to be extra diligent to prevent them from harming themselves with these items.

krc

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 8:18 a.m.

@Atticus, it's 'Syphilis', not syphalis. @Amy - they aren't hurting anyone? How about the families that have their cars confiscated? How about the wives who contract STDs from their husbands? At the least, condoms don't usually prevent crabs from spreading. The resulting upheaval in the family? The damage done to the children, if there are any? The relationship between 'husband' and wife? Can't believe you said that.

tommysnell

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 2:19 a.m.

Why aren't their booking photos of these offenders? Perhaps that would be a deterrent?

tommysnell

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 2:10 a.m.

Show their faces...mug shots of these fine ladies would be interesting. Perhaps a deterrent?

Atticus F.

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:26 p.m.

TDW, here's a thought...how about hiring less vice police and hiring more detectives and patrol officers. Call me Crazy.

tdw

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:16 p.m.

@Atticus Appearently you are a expert on law enforcement.Perhaps you should enlighten the police on how to solve crimes when they have no suspects.Crystal ball maybe?

Atticus F.

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:04 p.m.

Yoopertrooper, just look at the headlines in the crime section, ypsi purse snatching, armed robbery in ypsi, assualt in ypsi, every other article is about violent crime in Ypsi... And you want to give these folks a big 'pat on the back' for chasing down hookers! unbelievable. Why dont the police set some priorities and go devote more resources to solving the violent crimes mentioned, as apposed to chasing down hookers? Also, infecting someone with Syphallis is not considered a "violent Crime" as you have wrongly classified it. If that were the case we would be charging everybody who has ever had an STD with such a crime. Also, anybody who has sex, should be aware of the risk of STD's. If you catch an STD it's your own fualt, and you really have no legal recourse to charge someone with violence against you.

YooperTrooper

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:28 p.m.

@ Atticus: You're right. I get it now. YOUR moral view is superior to all others. What I don't understand is how you'd come to think that I believe police should do nothing about violent crime. While this article is about busted hookers and there was no mention of rapes, robberies, or violent crimes I do believe it is likely that their arrest and prosecution may have likely prevented such things. Violent crime, by it's nature is very hard to "stop." Yet, still, I haven't heard any stories about any hookers on that stretch of road being robbed, raped, beaten, or murdered while the sting was being conducted. Do you really think the police would have done nothing until money was exchanged for a sexual service? As far as your assumption of my priorities... Would you consider someone infecting another with neurosyphilis a violent crime? How loyal are you to these prostitutes?

Atticus F.

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:20 p.m.

So Yoopertrooper, You think it's a good use of police resources to chase down and harrass people commiting consentual crimes as apposed to useing those resources to stop Violent crime? As you mentioned that is a high crime area... so why are we paying a fortune to lock people up for petty things when there are far worse crimes going unsolved in that area? Sounds like your priorities are all mixed up... My priorities are to go after violent crime, rapist, robbers, and violent felons...Your priorities seem to be chasing down drunks, hookers, potheads, and anyone else that offends your moral beliefs.

nickcarraweigh

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:55 p.m.

I almost forgot the second part: Either the streetwalker was a police decoy, or you were too drunk to be out in public.

nickcarraweigh

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:53 p.m.

I was born and bred along Michigan Ave. in southwest Detroit, and the common wisdom in that neighborhood in those days was that if you were to see a streetwalker with whom you would even briefly consider having sex, she was an undercover decoy.

tdw

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:37 p.m.

Only 3 arrests? should be more like a dozen.Keep going down to holmes rd and could have been 3 dozen

YooperTrooper

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:53 p.m.

Atticus nails it again! We should all live as HE "seems" fit! Though, I don't think anyone has claimed pimps and prostitutes have no right to exist. We only expect them to abide by the laws of the land that their taxes paid for like everyone else. This belief that they pay their taxes and are productive members of the community, but should be above the law is ridiculous. And, as far as a few undercover law enforcement officers operating in a high crime area in effort to enforce the law; I can't see how that's a waste of resources. It almost seems like that's exactly what they're paid to do.

Atticus F.

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.

Panther Jeanz, I dont know how you get this belief that your life somehow has more value than the life of a pimp or prostitute. And that you have a right to exist, while these people have no right to existance. If there are people that YOU consider 'bad' hanging out at that park, then don't send your children there, and explain to them that you consider these people to be bad. As residents of the community these people have every right to be there, even if you consider their action immoral. So please don't act as if you own the park. Raising your childen right and instilling values in your children is your responsiblity. Not the responsibility of the police, and not my responsibility as a tax payer.

panther jeenz

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.

@Atticus et al, Some police actions that seem to enforce "morality" take their cue from society's general sentiments. If you're morally sophisticated enough to view drugs and hookers as harmless local flavor, will you mind if they hang out in the park with your young children? Is it possible that hookers, pimps, and drug dealers might commit other crimes like burglary and assault at a higher rate than the average citizen? Cops know the difference between chronic criminals and normal people smoking a lil' weed in their homes. Hell, I've been known to indulge. But I've yet to set up shop in a neighborhood likely populated by citizens who want a safe environment for their children and families. Who doesn't want this? If you don't find it necessary, there's no reason to live in Ann Arbor. There are far cheaper places available in Detroit, Flint, and the like. Suburbanites who view drug dealing and prostitution as harmless endeavors can be quite popular with savvy criminals in these regions. That is, of course, until their naivete and misunderstanding of criminal mentality is taking advantage of.

Atticus F.

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:31 a.m.

I just dont think that consentual crimes deserve the same resources as violent crimes like assualt, robbery, home invasion, ect.. Our prisons and jails are over crowded by people who really haven't hurt or stolen from anybody. And I dont see alot of value in continuing to build prisons and expand jails in order to enforce morality.

jjc155

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:28 a.m.

A couple of things are really cracking me up with these comments. 1) these are not "high priced" call girls who are getting 10k to spend the night with Charlie Sheen, LOL.They are not banking their money or working their way through Med School, LOL These are women who are out their feeding their addiction, 20 dollars at a time. There is no "making a living" to it. They are not out there because they want to, they are there to get money to buy more drugs. 2) Drugs, follow the prostitutes to find the drugs. If you have hookers in your neighborhood, you also have drugs in the neighborhood too (whether you want to "see" it or not)which brings other less then desireable people to the area who may want to break into your house or rob you to feed their habit. 3) For the Legalize it, regulate it and Tax it crowd, there will still be "illegal" prostitution. Imagine if you will as it stands a certain act is 20-30 dollars. Now add on taxes, fees yadda yadda and that certain act is now 100 dollars for exactly the same thing do you really think that there will not be people out there that will provide the same service, under the table so to speak. Same thing with legalize, regulate and tax Weed/Drugs. Who is gonna pay 30dollars for a "legal" dime bag when the guy on the corner will sell you exactly the same thing for 10bucks? LOL. The.gov can barely run the Post office and countless other agencies and yet everyone thinks that they would make it work as a Pimp or a Drug Dealer too, LOLOLOLOL. 4) Last but not least I think it is absolutely hilarious those that are "on the side of the girls" so to speak. let the police ignore the problem for a year, let it fester and then there will all kinds of people up in arms about the Police not doing a thing about the prostitution, LOL. I bet there would even be a AA.com story on it.

panther jeenz

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:19 a.m.

Many parts of Ypsilanti are seething cesspools. Anytime the police take action in these areas by arresting a hooker or drug dealer, it's beneficial for decent citizens. And the "waste of time" argument can get pretty out of hand. Would it better for cops to spend entire days outside apartment complexes hoping to see a time-worthy murder? When those crimes occur, and the police are called, it can be shocking to realize they often go and investigate! Taking aim at the visible crime is a great way to start.

Atticus F.

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:49 a.m.

I'm just saying dont move into someone elses home, and then demand that they live their lives as YOU seem fit. Besides Yoopertrooper, there are millions of minor crimes taking place, and this discussion thread is partially about weather this is a waste of resources.

YooperTrooper

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:38 a.m.

Atticus may be right. If you don't want to deal with these things then you should move to a community that has ordinances and laws that prohibit these things. Seriously people, it's just like moving in next to an airport and complaining about prostitution, drugs, and other illegal activity in the area. Oh... Wait...

Atticus F.

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.

To all of the people who are saying "we dont want this in our back yard"... That area has been like that for as long as I've been alive, you knew what you were getting when you moved there... Thats kind of like buying a house next to the airport, and then complaining about the noise! My point is that the people who are engaging in that behavior have been doing it in that area for years. And in my oppinion, they have as much of a right to live their life as they seem fit. If you dont like it, dont move into the area.

cinnabar7071

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.

Andrew MacKie-Mason If this were a craigslist bust I would agree, but this is where people live and its not just prostition. Good job lets keep the srteets clean.

ypsidog

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:50 a.m.

Hoe, hoe, hoe, Merry Christmas!! Do some research, every other sting is a "John" sting!! the dog

M.

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:39 a.m.

I agree with the legalization and regulation. They would be able to keep working and BE SAFE, and my issue with this going on near my kid's school would be moot because those kinds of businesses are usually required to be certain distances from schools (It's legal in Nevada).

Ricebrnr

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:17 a.m.

I agree that this shoul be legalized, taxed and regulated. But while it is a crime why aren't the johns being targeted also? A little classism, a bit of predjudice perhaps? Where were the undercover prostitutes? Couldn't be bothered cause it was too cold that night? Easier to be in your warm vehicles and go after the low hanging fruit who clearly don't have better options. This is what you get with feel good, feel safe and morality based laws that don't actually do anything constructive. Marijuana, firearms and sex laws. How much of it actually curbs or prevents crimes. Do they fix problems or just squeaky wheels? We get the world we make by letting people and legislation happen or not without investing our time and efforts hoping for " someone" to do it for us.

Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:51 a.m.

Just make it LEGAL and REGULATED. Then the GOV can take some credit for creating 100,000 new jobs in the state, and get some tax dollars too.

digger

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:43 a.m.

Seems like if prostitution was legal we could control and tax it. Now theirs a new sourse of income for the state {and job growth by the way]

ARAAT

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:52 a.m.

Like men dont know where to go in ypsi to get a prostitute! I agree it is a waste of time because they are gonna get out of jail and go right back to work. However I also agree that something needs to be done considering where this is happening. I mean, how do u stop it? You cant! Police cant watch the area 24/7!

M.

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:51 a.m.

Amy, normally I would completely agree with you, but with my daughter's school so close to there, it scares me to know her school is the same area that desperate men are looking for sex.

15crown00

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:22 a.m.

the hooks got hooked. Andrew u can't be a real rational human being

Amy

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:19 a.m.

I'm going to have to back up Andrew -- WHY are WOMEN getting arrested for prostitution? It IS a waste when there are dozens of other problems that need to be solved. These women aren't hurting anyone, they are just trying to make a living. Obviously they are making a profit. If you want to solve this, arrest the men who pay these women. Then maybe you'd find less activity. Otherwise, keep arresting the women and then, when they get out of jail, they will go right back to doing their "jobs" because they are now likely in debt to the city, on top of all the other expenses and debt they already had...go back to start-repeat, etc. It's a waste of time and money to handle it this way.

M.

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:42 p.m.

Thank you Martin. My daughter's elementary school is only a few blocks away, where it shows "Prospect Park" on the map above.

Angela

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:35 p.m.

@Andrew MacKie-Mason, i have to agree with Amalie Nash, i grew up in this neighborhood and prostitues have contributed to the decay of this neighborhood for years. It is about time the police started doing stings right there, ive been wondering for years why it hasnt happened sooner...

Marcy

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:34 p.m.

As Martin said, if you lived in the area, you would not consider this a waste of resources at all! As far as telling people where to go for such services only someone that has lived in a cave would not know about the problems on Michigan. Thank you to Ypsilanti police. They do a great job in a tough city! Thanks again!!

Martin Church

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:16 p.m.

So Andrew, you think its a waste of time. Try living in the neighborhood, as these people ply their trade on your front lawn. Or how about the other crimes that are occuring in the area. We have had one individual passed out from drug use on our property, our kids have been accosted by the customers of these people for their services. it's not ridiculous waste of time.

Ricebrnr

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:03 p.m.

So as an analogy, if going after marijuana users and sellers is a waste of resources, would a story including the locations of such transactions also be amusing?

Andrew MacKie-Mason

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:04 p.m.

First of all, arresting women for alleged prostitution is one of the most ridiculous wastes of police resources out there. Second, I find it amusing how this story basically tells readers where to go if they want to pick up a prostitute.