In response to a troubling surge in gun violence associated with the sex trade, Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore has announced new legislation aimed at addressing commercial sexual exploitation in District 5, particularly along Aurora Avenue North and surrounding neighborhoods. The area has experienced a dramatic increase in shootings, including gun battles that have unfolded over several blocks, with 31 incidents reported by the Seattle Police Department between mid-May and mid-July alone.
Principal Stowell of Robert Eagle Staff Middle School has raised concerns about individuals in the sex trade soliciting and recruiting students from nearby schools, including Ingraham High School. The alarming connection between commercial sexual exploitation and escalating gun violence has spurred Councilmember Moore to take action.
The proposed legislation is set to be heard in the Public Safety Committee on August 13 and aims to equip law enforcement with new tools to combat these intertwined issues. Key components of the legislation include:
Stay Out of Area Prostitution (SOAP) Zones: The legislation proposes the establishment of a Stay Out of Area Prostitution zone along Aurora Avenue, stretching from North 85th Street to North 145th Street. Individuals arrested or convicted of prostitution-related crimes could be prohibited by a judge from entering this area, with limited exceptions.
Focus on Diversion for Sellers: The legislation emphasizes diversion, rather than prosecution, for individuals engaged in prostitution, recognizing the complexities surrounding those involved in the sex trade.
New Offense for Promoting Loitering: A new offense of promoting loitering for the purposes of prostitution will be introduced to specifically target sex traffickers, classified as a gross misdemeanor.
New Loitering Law: Unlike the previous prostitution loitering law that was repealed in 2020, this new legislation targets buyers of commercial sex. It establishes multiple grounds for arresting individuals whose actions contribute to a lucrative sex trade that has led to territorial gun violence.
Councilmember Moore expressed her commitment to addressing the dual crises of commercial sexual exploitation and gun violence, stating, “We cannot stand by while our communities face the devastating consequences of these intertwined issues. This legislation is a crucial step in protecting our neighborhoods and ensuring the safety of our youth.”