Prostitutes East New York
Penn Track Solicitation Hub
Prostitution remains a significant issue in parts of East New York, Brooklyn. An area known locally as the “Penn Track,” stretching from Louisiana Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue, is particularly infamous for open-air solicitation. Sex workers are frequently seen on multiple corners in this location. The NYPD has conducted operations targeting this activity. For example, officers from the 75th Precinct arrested 10 individuals during one operation following community complaints.
Forms and Legal Status
Prostitution in New York City, including East New York, manifests in various ways: street walkers, brothels (sometimes disguised as massage parlors), sex shops, nude bars, and escorts operating from apartments. While escort services themselves are legal if they don’t involve explicit sexual transactions for money, the actual exchange of sex for money is illegal under New York State law. Patronizing a prostitute is also a crime. Penalties escalate based on factors like the age of the person involved. If the person is under 14, patronizing becomes a Class E felony. Promoting prostitution, which includes soliciting customers or running illegal brothels, carries even harsher penalties.
Enforcement Challenges
Law enforcement has targeted sex trafficking rings operating in these areas, including cases where individuals were arrested for forcing minors into prostitution. The scale of prostitution in New York City has been large historically, with estimates suggesting around 40,000 sex workers in the 1970s. Enforcement efforts continue, including raids on suspected illegal brothels in other boroughs like Queens. Despite these efforts, the visible street-level sex trade persists in areas like the Penn Track, posing ongoing challenges for residents and police.
Legal Framework and Prosecution
The legal framework defines prostitution (NY Penal Law § 230.00), patronizing a prostitute (§§ 230.02 – 230.06), and promoting prostitution (§§ 230.15 – 230.32). Prosecution varies; for instance, the Manhattan District Attorney announced a policy to stop prosecuting prostitution itself, focusing instead on trafficking and exploitation.
*TAGS* – Penn Track solicitation, NYPD 75th Precinct operations, promoting prostitution penalties
