An intensified Cincinnati Police effort against prostitution has resulted in 77 prostitution arrests from July 30 to Oct. 3, officials report.

        “That's considerably higher than what we've experienced in the past,” said Police Lt. John Gallespie. “I think there's more of it, and it's largely tied to the crack cocaine epidemic. A lot of the girls we catch have (drug) paraphernalia.”

        The 77 arrests were of prostitutes only and did not include johns, Lt. Gallespie said.

        City council members have been receiving complaints about prostitution, particularly in Over-the-Rhine and Mount Adams. But prostitution also is found in Northside, Evanston, Clifton-University Heights, Price Hill and Walnut Hills, Lt. Gallespie said.

        Most arrests were made by undercover officers who were approached by prostitutes.

        “We've tried to take a real proactive approach to locking up prostitutes,” said Cincinnati Police Capt. Vince Demasi, commander of the Criminal Investigations Section. “There isn't many a night where we don't get two or three.”

        Still, keeping them in jail is another matter. Prostitutes often do very little jail time, usually only serving the time they spend waiting to go before a judge, police said.

        “Typically in the past, they'd be out with no time served,” Lt. Gallespie said. “Now, I think a few of the judges are starting to see there's a problem.”

        Arrested prostitutes often are back on the street the same day, Capt. Demasi said.

        Police officials say they would like to see the city try diversionary programs for prostitutes, such as drug courts and first-time offender programs. Because most prostitution is tied to drugs, getting prostitutes off drugs would be the long-term solution, they said.

        “(We need) something where these folks are getting help, not just being back out on the street,” Capt. Demasi said.

        Prostitution also hurts economic development in already-struggling neighborhoods because few businesses want to locate in a place where customers and clients will be approached by prostitutes, the police officials said.

        “It really sets a bad image for the neighborhood,” Lt. Gallespie said.

        Some anti-prostitution efforts appear to be paying off, particularly in Over-the-Rhine.

        “We've gotten several calls from business people along Walnut Street appreciative of the effort. They can see a noticeable difference,” Lt. Gallespie said.

        E-mail: jprendergast@enquirer.com and daveck@fuse.net

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