Crackdown continues…

[+ saminseattle]

In some news from my hometown yesterday, the King County sheriff and prosecutor announced that they had shut down a “large prostitution ring,” arresting 14 people and seizing two websites, one of which apparently had a base of around 20,000 members from around the country. There is some pretty sordid stuff involving 12 women “imported” from South Korea and coerced into having sex with up to 10 men per day in order to pay off family debts to organized criminals back in Korea.

 

*http://www.nwcn.com/story/news/crime/2016/01/07/12-women-rescued-puget-sound-human-trafficking-bust/78423470/

*http://www.seattlepi.com/local/crime/article/King-County-authorities-bust-prostitution-6743602.php

*http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/online-site-where-men-rated-prostitutes-is-shut-down-charges-to-be-filed/

 

But while this was obviously appalling and indefensible, the website seizure also appears to have affected many independent sex workers engaged in consensual liaisons. In what one reporter described as “a bizarre twist,” there was even a protest by “prostitutes” in the sheriff’s lobby at the same time that the announcement was made. But of course, the sheriff described his critics as “delusional.”

 

A local alternative newspaper had a somewhat different take on events: http://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2016/01/07/23376530/king-countys-unprecedented-prostitution-sting-has-shut-down-a-popular-vetting-tool-for-sex-workers

 

Between redbook, RB, and this, there does seem to be quite a crackdown of escorting-related sites these days. But one thing that still seems unique about the RB situation, at least so far, is that no abuse of minors or trafficking victims has been alleged. It seems to me that the government would have led with that charge if it had any evidence to support it.

[seaboy4hire]

Sex trafficking is bad I'm against that 110% but what consenting adults do is not the govs biz. My respect for leo and gov is about zero. Wouldn't waste my piss on either if they were on fire.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[seaboy4hire]

I'm so glad I left Seattle almost 5 yrs ago. The place is turning into a gentrification shit hole.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[+ saminseattle]

I'm so glad I left Seattle almost 5 yrs ago. The place is turning into a gentrification shit hole.

 

Hugs,

Greg

 

Well, I don’t know if I’d go that far, but we do seem to be heading in the direction of San Francisco in terms of housing affordability. Despite all the cranes, they can’t build things fast enough to accommodate all the new Amazon workers. Still, it’s always been a boom and bust city since the days of the gold rush, so maybe things will crash and gentrification will take a break, at least for awhile.

 

In any event, I should note that while the arrests occurred here, this is really more of a national story since people from at least 12 states were involved.

[Rudynate]

Well, I don’t know if I’d go that far, but we do seem to be heading in the direction of San Francisco in terms of housing affordability. Despite all the cranes, they can’t build things fast enough to accommodate all the new Amazon workers. Still, it’s always been a boom and bust city since the days of the gold rush, so maybe things will crash and gentrification will take a break, at least for awhile.

 

In any event, I should note that while the arrests occurred here, this is really more of a national story since people from at least 12 states were involved.

 

The first time I visited Seattle was in 1975. It seemed very quaint to me because, at that time, the counter culture was still in full bloom in Seattle, while the rest of the country had moved on. I really enjoyed it - seriously thought of moving there. It doesn't seem at all quaint now. When I go there on business, I get in and out as fast as possible.

[+ Keith30309]

And then there's this also from Seattle regarding review boards.

http://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/inside-fight-online-prostitution-review-boards/story?id=48308991

[MikeBannacheck]

As an escort I think you're safe from the law if you work alone and don't get involved in the drug scene (especially dealing). I mean the police have much more important things to do then try and destroy a small franchise such as myself!

[Kippy]

I'm so glad I left Seattle almost 5 yrs ago. The place is turning into a gentrification shit hole.

 

Hugs,

Greg

Seattle currently does serve one good purpose: as the prop for the "Frasier" reruns. I'm still a Frasier addict! The gayest show ever!

 

Kipp

[bigvalboy]

I adore Seattle.

 

Vancouver and Seattle, two diamonds in the Northwest. Took a cruise out of there last year, and spent a couple of days on each end. The locals could not have been nicer. Every time I turned around, someone was going out of there way to go the extra mile.

[+ saminseattle]

And then there's this also from Seattle regarding review boards.

http://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/inside-fight-online-prostitution-review-boards/story?id=48308991

 

Yes, I believe this Nightline story is about the same arrests and website seizure I started this thread about a year and a half ago. For another perspective, you can read: http://reason.com/archives/2016/09/09/the-truth-about-us-sex-trafficking. I will say that the story did not end happily for the website operator, who was apparently driven to suicide last year. I also note that the prosecutor claims to be “working to eliminate sex buying altogether,” and he apparently believes “it would be a great step forward in reducing nation-wide exploitation if these review boards did not exist.” While I am absolutely against cases of abuse and exploitation, I find this kind of zealotry to be chilling.

 

Still, I refuse to let a few fools and zealots ruin my love for this city. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/is-seattle-a-good-place-to-work-massage-escort.123955/#post-1276642