Police arrest 8 men accused of solicitation of prostitution in Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township
Eight men were arrested Thursday on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution during a sting operation along East Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township, authorities said.
Ypsilanti police officers and Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies teamed up for the operation that ran from 4 p.m. to 11:45 p.m., a police news release said.
The men were later released as charges are pending. Three women also were taken into custody because they had outstanding warrants, the release said.
It's part of a program called Enforcement Against Street Walking in Ypsilanti (E.A.S.Y.). The effort brings law enforcement, human services, the judicial system and elected officials together to address the root causes of prostitution and keep people off the streets.
Last month, a sting operation in the same area resulted in arrests of six women on charges of soliciting or inviting to commit prostitution.
Further details about Thursday night's arrests were not immediately available this morning.
Comments
lute1812
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 8:07 p.m.
What a Waste of time. 6.5 Mil foreigners running loose after VISA expirations and 10 Mil Mexican illegals running free in the U.S.. If only 12 Mil hold US jobs (not all bean pickers), so 10 Mil are holding jobs that US born citizens should have. It's not $40K a year, but it's earnings. Just keep doing nothing, extending unemployment benefits forever, then pick up nickel and dime offenses like this. The U.S. has gone to hell-in-a-hand-basket in the last 30-40 years. Just keep fighting oversees, then rebuilding other nations with OUR tax dollars, ... Confront local police about illegals (criminals under U.S. law) and they balk --- "It's not our job." Petty- Petty-Offenses like this article are a joke.
ChelseaBob
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 10:40 a.m.
There are large numbers of women enslaved by pimps with drugs and violence. It sounds like they are involving social services here, so maybe they are trying to break the cycle. I hope so. Prosecuting pimps would be a good idea too. Legalized prostitution seems to work in Nevada, but who wants a whorehouse in their neighborhood?
RJA
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 6:56 a.m.
Great Job Police!!!! Get em all of the streets!
Ms. Garrett
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 1:13 a.m.
Do you honestly think women (or men for that matter) WANT to be prostitutes? Prostitution undermines our society as a whole. Wake up please.
billw
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 9:59 p.m.
while police were busy on the east side rounding up the clueless, over on the west side there was an armed, open gang fight in the parking lot of the bistro bar, which had started in the bar (check the police and ambulance reports). Most laughable, moments earlier there had been an influx of trolling, hootchie-attired ladies at the bar. Well done, officers. Streets are once again safe from 200 pound faux leopard bra-wearing bad guys (and gals).
Maxwell
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 9:06 p.m.
I wonder how many cops are kept employed by prostitution?
huh7891
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 7:22 p.m.
Why don't they print names and photos of people "using" their services? I would think ones mug plastered all over the news for friends and family to see my deter them from going to theses prostitutes...or not...
Sandy Castle
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:57 p.m.
Yeah, I was all for letting these people do what they want with their bodies, too, until my kids came home and said they saw one of these women performing a sexual act with a client in a car in the McDonald's parking lot at the corner of Ecorse and Michigan Ave. So now I'm all for letting these people do what they want with their bodies in YOUR neighborhood. So anybody who thinks this was a waste of money and that we should allow this behaviour, go ahead and round up all of those nasty people who walk the street at the corner of Michigan Ave and Ecorse Rd and take them back to YOUR community. Because the people where I live are tired of them and we really appreciate the police enforcement. But really, if you'd like them, you're welcome to come get them.
Ron Granger
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:35 p.m.
It isn't a question of whether you believe prostitution should be legal. Nobody wants that activity, and the criminal element, around their property. Nobody.
Bradley Pearsall
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:15 p.m.
OK, lets make this very simple. For all of you that think hooking should be legal think about this: the cost of higher education is going up so lets encourage our sons and daughters to take up the hobby of legalized hooking so that they can contribute to the cost of their education. It would also help to solve the attendance problems at our high schools and middle schools - picture it! Plus the schools could save money by taking sex ed out of the programs. Lets take it further, we have been having problems with families not spending time together. Legalizing it would be a great way of families spending time together. Dad could pimp the whole clan and would have the added benefit of knowing where the wife and kids are at all times.. The family doctors would benefit also by the increased visits for STD checks, vaccinations and the family dentists will make a killing fixing Little Susan's busted tooth that she got from some John because she didn't want to do what he wanted and he kicked her teeth in. Think about it people, every hooker is someones child and every john is someones brother/father/uncle.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:02 p.m.
I am all for making prostitution legal. Really I am. But if it is made legal, I would hope that streetwalking would continue to be illegal. Let this go on behind closed doors and not RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I occasionally find used condoms in the street in front of my house. It is just plain gross.
D
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:01 p.m.
You would not think it's a waste of money if you worked in the area this happens in and see how it turns customers off to return to the area.
Whittaker
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 4:36 p.m.
I think A2.com should publish the names of those arrested, (both male and female) maybe then a little shame and embarrassment would make them think twice. Its not just about making a living and getting there kicks… they could be spreading diseases.
Sandy Castle
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 4:50 p.m.
Hear, hear! What a great idea!
loves_fall
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.
I suspect the women will get harsher punishments too. I'm glad they at least arrested the guys, though... it's at least a step towards equality.
KeepingItReal
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 3:41 p.m.
Earlier, AA.com published the names of the women who were busted for prostitution because they committed a crime. Why does not the same logic apply to the men who were busted. They were apparently committing a crime as well. It is highly unfair to publish the names of the women and not the men.
katie
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 8:56 p.m.
I hope that the johns names and photos will be published. This is a deterent to others who may want to solicit prostitutes. I'm all for the women who are prostitutes getting treated and off drugs. It is pathetic for them, if you look at the statistics. Go after the pimps, too. Publish their names and photos. They are likely to be involved in dealing drugs, too.
Cindy Heflin
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 4:59 p.m.
The men have not been charged yet. That is why their names were not included in this report.
Bob
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 3:28 p.m.
EASY? Well, if we're not going to legalize prostitution, I guess we should maintain a sense of humor . . .
Travis
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.
Come on now this is more than an issue of "let people have sex". Prostitution and pimping brings down the economy and reduces the quality of life. We're talking increased drug use, rape, burglary, and other violent crimes. If you don't think it is a problem then you should invite them to come solicit in front of your house.
snoopdog
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.
that is why it should be made legal Travis. Good Day
xmo
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 2:55 p.m.
So, did these guys try to pick up male or females Officers? The ACLU might be interested if the Police are not cratering to all equally.
John A2
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
Facts are facts, and how do we enforce prostitution laws? I guess there is no EASY answer to this complicated law. Free country should mean that people have the right do what they want with their bodies. On the other hand prostitution is morally wrong and spreads STD's. Not only that, these prostitutes and John's are filling each-others needs and most of both have some psychological disorders. But, it's not for us to stop this mess. The best we can do to prevent the spread of STD's is to legalize it and make them get a health card once a month. This act will allow these vulnerable people some security, as well as cleanliness. This being the oldest profession, I don't see it going away at all. This EASY act just made room for other prostitutes to to make more money. In fact money was invented to buy women back in ancient history. I say if GBLT is based on rights then so should prostitution. The EASY way to control STD's is to legalize prostitution, label it as taxable, enforce health cards. This will make prostitution and pimps on the streets go away. Pimps and madams are the ones who should be busted and charged. Just the other day I was driving by the intersection of Ecorse and Mich. ave. I saw a man yelling at a young women and it seemed to me that it was a prostitute and her Pimp. We CAN"T stop it, but we can make it clean and safe. This act could bring down the level of rapes too. We have to stop making laws based on religious values and start looking at life in a realistic and actual angle. I'm tired of this Christian based thinking, and really tired of them trying to push their beliefs in my face. If this is a free country then start showing it, and get rid of the OLD way of thinking.
Bob Krzewinski
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 2:01 p.m.
Just a question to those who feel that a city prosecuting prostitution participants is a waste of money. Would you have any problem with hookers and/or pimps in front of your house soliciting for their "business"?
Enso
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 9:34 a.m.
I would. That's why it should be legalized.
trespass
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
The police probably make these kinds of operations because they get complaints from people in the neighborhoods that attract this business. Why not find an area that doesn't bother anyone and say to the girls, we worn't bother you if you stay in this area.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
Another photo op squandered.
grye
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:38 p.m.
Given Ypsilanti's budget woes, legalizing prositution would be beneficial to the economy.
Enso
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 9:33 a.m.
Yep, just like they do where it is legalized. AND they'd be tested for STDs regularly.
tdw
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
seriously all you people talking about taxing hookers.Do you really think they would pay taxes ? be for real
Atticus F.
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
How about we stop worrying about what others are doing with their bodies.
Enso
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 9:33 a.m.
@Ypsidame If it was legalized it wouldn't be taking place in the streets and in cars. There would be taxable, regulated establishments in which it would take place: Just like it is in some parts of the United States, Amsterdam and other parts of the world.
City Confidential
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 9 p.m.
Except that what these people are doing with their bodies could impact what happens to unknowing spouses or others exposed to their body fluids. Not to mention that with prostitution often comes violence and drug abuse, which have consequences on the whole community. I personally am not too excited about finding condoms that were thrown out of the car window after an act of prostitution, when condoms are used, or seeing prostitutes proposition people in public areas.
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 12:57 p.m.
What an unfortunate acronym: E.A.S.Y. (Enforcement Against Street Walking in Ypsilanti).
Hmm
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.
Pretty sure the cops knew what they were doing when they picked that acronym. One thing about LEO is they LOVE they're acronyms! We have LAWNET, EASY, SWAT, etc etc all kinds of little funny acronyms so they can feel good about themselves. Also I'm sure they picked that name because it is so EASY to bust people for a crime like prostitution, put a few decoys out there and watch as the "perps" come to you! Brilliant...not! Like snoop said this is one of those crimes that needs to be taken off the books as all it is doing is punishing consenting adults for doing something that they would do whether it is legal or not. They don't call it the oldest crime in the books for nothing!
obviouscomment
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.
i think it's hilarious
pvitaly
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
I was thinking the exact same thing
snoopdog
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
This is ridiculous and a massive waste of taxpayer money. Prostitution should be legalized and regulated. Spending money chasing johns and hookers is pure stupidity. Good Day