Annual Prostitution Arrests In NYC Approach Zero

Gothamist reports:

With little public attention, New York City has reversed how it polices prostitution, going from 20,000 annual arrests in 1985 to barely more than 100 this year.

The plunge in arrests, gradual over the last decade, accelerated last year with decisions by borough district attorneys to stop prosecuting sex workers and dismiss thousands of open cases against those charged with selling sex.

Prostitution remains illegal under state law. But like marijuana, it operates in New York City in a sort of legal netherworld — subject to arrest in certain circumstances, but not others.

Read the full article. Photo: Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.