You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Sun, Sep 11, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.

East Michigan Ave. business owners, residents say prostitution has diminished but remains a problem

By Tom Perkins

• Previous story: Ypsilanti police, sheriff's department team up to discourage prostitution on Michigan Avenue

Several years ago, Scott Northway, an Ypsilanti resident living on Miles Street near East Michigan Avenue, got an unexpected trick or treater — one of the regular neighborhood prostitutes.

“I was so dumbfounded that I just gave her a handful of candy and shut the door,” Northway said. “I recognized her. She was always walking up and down the street.”

Thumbnail image for 090111_NEWS_Michigan_Ave_MRM_01.jpg
Northway no longer has prostitutes trick or treating at his house or fighting with bottles in the street, as he once witnessed them doing. The problems aren’t quite what they used to be, he said, and by and large, they stay out of the neighborhood and closer to Michigan Avenue.

Over the last year, the Ypsilanti Police Department, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department and county social workers from the Project Outreach Team started taking a new, multifaceted approach to addressing persistent prostitution along the East Michigan Avenue corridor.

In it, the two police agencies collaborate and run sting operations along the thoroughfare. When targeting johns, offenders are cited for a misdemeanor and their cars are impounded. When netting women, the prostitutes are arrested and meet with social workers who try to steer them toward county resources for mental health and drug addiction issues.

The aim is to eradicate prostitution in the area by going after its root social issues, thus keeping repeat offenders from returning to the streets.

City residents and township businesses off the stretch of East Michigan between Prospect and Ridge Roads have been the most impacted by the issues.

Northway has lived on Miles Street for six years. Although the situation has improved, he likened it to cockroaches scattering when lights are turned on, then returning when it’s dark.

As for the new approach law enforcement officials are taking, Northway is hopeful but skeptical.

“I don’t see how it can hurt,” he said. “But these girls are some hardcore addicts. When you see the same girls over and over again, you can kind of watch their steady physical deterioration. It’s remarkable, it’s disgusting, it’s the basest elements of humanity laid bare.”

Northway also questioned how some residents can view prostitution as a “victimless crime.” He said he understands the legality debate or debate over how police should be spending their limited resources, but underscored that kids and the neighbors are exposed to open prostitution.

“How can you justify that?” he asked.

At 2052 E. Michigan Ave. in the township, Washtenaw Door and Trim owner Laura Spear said the situation has improved in front of her store. Truck drivers bringing deliveries to the store arrive early in the morning. Occasionally, they used to be woken up by prostitutes tapping on their windows and offering sex for money, Spear said.

She said that isn't happening any longer, and people who visit her store from outside the area also have made fewer comments in recent years.

Chris Curtis manages Ypsilanti Imports at 1200 E. Michigan. He said his store has never been seriously affected by the issue, which he theorized might have to do with his lot's relatively isolated location.

One of the major improvements in the corridor was the recent clearing of remaining abandoned trailer homes in the Ypsi Mobile Village, which had become a known haven for drug and prostitution activity.

Mark Hergott has lived in Ypsilanti for 15 years and recently moved to his home at Miles Street and Martin Place, less than a quarter mile from the intersection of Ecorse Road and Michigan Ave.

He has two young daughters and says the prostiution issue has gotten slightly worse over the last year. Short of creating a police state, the problem could only marginally improve given the dynamics of the area, Hergott said.

East Michigan and Ecorse form a major intersection, and the nearby bridge over the railroad tracks provides a hidden area for illicit activity, he notes.

“The thing about the girls is that if you catch seven, there are seven more,” he said. “It’s just not possible to take it out from the supply or demand end, you have to create some sort of management scheme.”

Hergott said the new social program implemented by the police agencies is a good first step, but he said he believes decriminalizing and managing prostitution is ultimately the best solution.

“I believe that’s the only reasonable way to do it,” he said. “It’s not going to go away.

"It’s unhealthy, it’s ugly, and we should be decriminalizing it and managing it so it’s less unhealthy and less ugly.”

Comments

Nick

Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 3:10 a.m.

I just made an offer on a home in the heart of this area. Besides the rampant prostitution, what sort of violent crime should I expect? I've lived in some nasty places before (Pontiac), but are we talking about a war-zone or just a zombified population of prostitutes, drug addicts and petty thieves? I can deal with common low-life's, but if this place is infested with gangs and murderers then I think I'll pass on Ypsi.

jns131

Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 3:03 p.m.

Depends on where you move too. We have a nice sub division near Harris and Ecorse Road near Michigan. Very quiet neighborhood. The sheriff hardly ever comes down our way unless an elderly neighbor needs assistance. Might want to try out that section.

Davidian

Mon, Sep 12, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.

I'm all about legalizing vice, but I don't think that will solve the problem here. These aren't the type of hookers that can be regulated, and the customers aren't the type of folks looking for prostitutes found in regulated brothers (i.e. high priced). These poor women are really on the fringe--destitute, cracked out, and pretty close to death. They don't need legitimacy, they need help.

jns131

Tue, Sep 13, 2011 : 2:55 a.m.

The convents are always looking. These girls need help and I hate to say it, the girls should be involved in the community as well as out reach programs. I guess I live in an area of Ypsi that I never see this kind of operation. But with that new cross walk in the middle of no where, it will make it easier for them to get to their johns?

Rita Book

Mon, Sep 12, 2011 : 5:46 p.m.

I think continual updates to this issue will bring to light what a big problem this is for residents and businesses in Ypsi. I am happy to see there are programs in place to help the women other than just arresting them and throwing them back out into the streets. But there still needs to be more done to clean up Michigan Ave to bring businesses to the area and make our neighborhoods safer. I have seen a lot of comments in the past that this is a waste of tax payer money. These must be from people who don't have to deal with this problem on a daily basis.

John of Saline

Mon, Sep 12, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.

The Halloween story is kind of funny (considered from a distance). "Oh, hey! Great hooker outfit! Here's a Snickers!" Not saying it would be funny at the time, though.

EyeHeartA2

Mon, Sep 12, 2011 : 7:46 p.m.

@treetowncartel; Please reread the story. While there is less opportunity, my understanding is that it still is possible to get a popcorn ball if you park your truck at Washtenaw Door and Trim early in the morning.

Woman in Ypsilanti

Mon, Sep 12, 2011 : 7 p.m.

From what I have observed in Ypsilanti, if someone shows up to your door dressed like a hooker on halloween, the odds are the aren't really a prostitute. Ypsilanti hookers dont seem to often dress like prostitutes. If they did, they would at least make the neighborhood more colorful. And it would probably make it less likely that women who are not prostitutes get harassed.

treetowncartel

Mon, Sep 12, 2011 : 6:28 p.m.

Wait, you are assuming facts not reported? That is not right, how do you know he wasn't handing out "Good and Plenty's" or popcorn balls? Speaking of popcorn balls, today's youth will never know what a popcorn ball is unless they get it at home, what a shame.

no flamers!

Mon, Sep 12, 2011 : 1:49 p.m.

While I don't intent to suggest that we should cover up our community problems, this story does not have any new or different substantive content than the excellent story published a couple weeks ago. My point is that we don't need weekly reminders that a prostitute offered cheap oral sex to a trucker delivering product to a local business years ago, or that a prostitute knocked on someone's door years ago during Halloween offering a "trick." And the article doesn't report a trend, b/c the article includes quotes from some that say it is better and some that say it is worse. Sure, people will read it because "sex sells," but that shouldn't be the only standard.

John A2

Mon, Sep 12, 2011 : 3:32 a.m.

Ha, That's funny, I just saw two different girls walking down Harriet ST.

xmo

Mon, Sep 12, 2011 : 2:11 a.m.

One of the only businesses that allow women freedom and the police are trying to stop it? Where is National Organization of Gals?