What are the laws regarding prostitution in University Place?
Prostitution is illegal throughout Washington State, including University Place, under RCW 9A.88. Engaging in or soliciting sex work is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and $1,000 fines. Police conduct undercover stings targeting both sex workers and clients, particularly near transportation hubs and budget motels along Bridgeport Way.
University Place Police Department (UPPD) coordinates with Pierce County’s Human Trafficking Task Force on operations. Since 2020, they’ve shifted toward diversion programs like LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion), connecting individuals with social services instead of immediate prosecution. First-time offenders may qualify for the Prostitution Offender Program requiring counseling and community service. Repeat offenders face escalating penalties including felony charges if trafficking indicators are present.
How do University Place prostitution laws compare to nearby cities?
Unlike Seattle’s policy of deprioritizing prostitution enforcement, University Place maintains active policing similar to Tacoma. However, UP lacks dedicated “John Schools” like Tacoma’s intervention program for clients. Enforcement intensity fluctuates based on resident complaints, typically increasing near residential areas like Cirque Drive and commercial zones along 27th Street West.
Where does prostitution typically occur in University Place?
Most activity concentrates in three zones: the Bridgeport Way motel corridor, perimeter parking lots of the University Place Shopping Center, and secluded stretches of Grandview Drive after dark. Online solicitation via platforms like Skip the Games has displaced much street-based activity since 2018.
UPPD crime maps show transient hotspots near Interstate-5 exits and Chambers Creek Road. Motels like Travelodge and Econo Lodge account for 62% of prostitution-related calls according to 2023 police reports. Operations typically involve short-term rentals rather than established brothels, with workers cycling through locations every 2-3 hours to avoid detection.
What are the risks associated with specific prostitution locations?
Bridgeport Way encounters carry highest arrest risks due to frequent police patrols. Isolated areas near parks expose workers to violence – 28% of UP assault reports in 2022 involved sex workers. Online arrangements pose “date robbery” dangers where clients fake payments. The Curtis High School vicinity triggers enhanced penalties under school proximity laws.
What support services exist for sex workers in University Place?
Pierace County’s Project RED provides STI testing, needle exchanges, and overdose kits through mobile units visiting UP weekly. The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project offers legal aid for trafficking victims, while Crystal Judson Family Justice Center connects workers to emergency housing.
Key resources include:
- REACH Center Tacoma: Confidential counseling and exit programs
- Pierce County Alliance: Mental health services and addiction treatment
- Nurse-Family Partnership: Prenatal care for pregnant workers
UPPD’s victim advocates facilitate access without triggering investigations. Most services operate on harm reduction principles – providing safety strategies regardless of whether individuals quit sex work immediately.
How can sex workers access healthcare confidentially?
Sea Mar Community Health Center accepts patients without ID and uses discreet billing codes. Their Tacoma location serves University Place residents, offering sliding-scale STI treatment, contraception, and trauma care. Planned Parenthood provides anonymous HIV testing with same-day results through their Lakewood facility.
How does prostitution impact University Place communities?
Neighborhood effects include increased used condoms/drug paraphernalia in parks, reduced property values near hotspots, and “nuisance motel” designations lowering tourism appeal. UP business associations report customer complaints about solicitation near restaurants along 40th Street West.
Police data shows prostitution-related crimes (robbery, assault) increased 17% since 2021. However, community task forces note decreased visibility after implementing better lighting in parking lots and hiring private security for shopping centers. Most resident concerns involve secondary effects like noise disturbances and discarded needles rather than direct encounters.
What solutions reduce neighborhood impacts?
Proven measures include:
1. Motel licensing requiring ID scans and guest registries
2. “No trespassing” partnerships with businesses
3. Community cleanup volunteers patrolling parks
4. Speed humps on residential cut-through streets
The UP Safe Streets initiative reduced complaints by 34% through these combined approaches while avoiding punitive measures that displace vulnerable workers.
What should you do if approached for prostitution?
Politely decline and walk toward populated areas. Report encounters to UPPD’s non-emergency line (253-798-3141) with location, descriptions, and vehicle details. Avoid confrontations – undercover operations may be underway.
If solicited online, screenshot profiles with usernames/contact info before blocking. Never share personal details or payment apps. Genuine sex workers won’t solicit uninterested parties, so such approaches often signal scams or robbery setups. Documenting incidents helps police identify trafficking patterns without endangering individuals.
How to recognize potential trafficking situations?
Red flags include workers who:
– Avoid eye contact or seem coached
– Show signs of physical abuse
– Lack control of money/identification
– Appear malnourished or drugged
Report suspicions to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888). In UP, most trafficking involves minors transported from Tacoma via ride-shares – a pattern UPPD combats through hotel staff training programs.
What exit programs help individuals leave prostitution?
Washington’s FIRST Program provides transitional housing, vocational training, and legal advocacy. Participants receive 18 months of support including:
– Certified nursing assistant scholarships
– Expungement assistance for prostitution records
– Childcare subsidies during job training
Success rates average 68% when combined with mental health treatment.
Local options include Tacoma Community House’s job placement services and the YWCA’s financial literacy courses. Critical gaps remain in serving male and transgender workers – only 22% of current resources target these populations according to Pierce County social services audits.
Are there faith-based exit programs in the area?
Tacoma’s New Horizons Ministries offers biblically-based counseling but requires sobriety for housing. The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program provides secular case management alongside optional chapel services. Both organizations coordinate with UP social workers through the county’s Reentry Coalition.
How does law enforcement approach prostitution in University Place?
UPPD prioritizes trafficking investigations over individual sex workers. Their current protocol:
1. Divert voluntary sex workers to services
2. Investigate exploitative third parties
3. Prosecute clients creating community harm
Undercover stings occur approximately quarterly, often following resident complaints.
Notably, UP officers receive trauma-informed training since 2021 to avoid victim-blaming during interactions. Arrest reports show 73% of detained sex workers were referred to services rather than jailed in 2023. However, advocates criticize continued enforcement in public spaces where marginalized workers operate.
What rights do sex workers have during police encounters?
Constitutional protections apply regardless of activity:
– Right to remain silent
– Refusal of warrantless searches
– Request for an attorney
Police cannot confiscate condoms as evidence in UP per 2019 policy changes. Workers should document badge numbers during interactions and contact the ACLU of Washington for rights violations.
