Crime & Safety
Police To Live-Tweet Prostitution Sting: What Do You Think?
Police facing criticism for new way to fight oldest profession.
When police decided to live Tweet an upcoming prostitution sting, they advertised their plans as if promoting a soon-to-be-released movie.
"From the ads to the arrests,' stated the teaser on the blog of Maryland's Prince George's County Police Department, "we'll show you how the PGPD is battling the oldest profession."
Reaction has been swift and far from favorable. "Public shaming and violence against sex workers. Absolutely disgusting," came one Tweeted response. Others complained that women and girls already victimized in sex-trafficking will be victimized further, this time by police.
The department sent out a statement that it's going ahead with the operation, and made clear that it's targeting johns and not the women they hire.
Which raises some questions:
- Is it right to Tweet arrests before convictions? And does a public account of a sex sting further victimize women, or is it a valid way to rid an area of prostitution and the crimes that come with it? Tell us in comments below.
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