June 3, Credit: Howard Schnapp. Incredulity and giggles aside, however, "Flush the Johns" raises some serious questions. According to Division of Criminal Justice Service statistics, a total of 39 people had been arrested on such charges in Nassau County … over the past decade.
More than in a month shows a pretty serious change in emphasis, and one that goes beyond this sting, and beyond prosecuting customers. In , 26 cases involving prostitution charges were resolved in Nassau. This year there have already been prostitution arrests. No one wants prostitutes being mistreated, enslaved or endangered.
If it's a big problem, and if this is the right way to attack it, we would like to see the evidence. That being the case, would we rather have its negotiations soiling computer screens and smart phones or street corners?
Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice has never shied away from the spotlight. In fact, she sometimes seems drawn to it like a moth to a porch lamp.
But her ability to shine publicity on important issues has also done a lot of good -- her focus on attacking DWIs and their culprits being a prime example. Her challenge is to convince Nassau residents that these alleged johns deserve their shame, and prostitution deserves this level of focus and resources. We're revamping our Comments section.
