Craigslist Used for Prostitution

(Seattle, Washington) This news probably surprises very few people but it may be the first time that police have collected significant evidence that Craigslist facilitates prostitution.

Via an elaborate prostitution sting operation, Seattle detectives arrested seven women and a 16-year-old girl who advertised as escorts but expected payment for sexual services. On a later occasion, police cruised Craigslist and nabbed 14 more women on suspicion of prostitution.

Men answering Craigslist posts in the "erotic services" category came in droves. About 70 were arrested for suspicion of patronizing a prostitute and police found that the men were "a complete subculture." They all knew each other and called themselves "hobbyists," communicating via Craigslist online review boards. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, those arrested included "bank presidents, state employees, business owners, construction workers, physicians and surgeons."

Founder Craig Newmark hinted that he would take legal action if the Craigslist name was used improperly, referring to the local online review boards where men communicate about illegal sex.

However, with respect to the larger problem of Craigslist being used for prostitution, nothing will likely be done. The police don't have the resources to chase down every prostitute and customer doing business through Craigslist and it seems unachievable to hold Craigslist editors responsible for the legality of every site posting.

It seems the only way to control the Craigslist prostitution problem is to conduct periodic sting operations, as was done, and hope for a chill in the marketplace.