Jim Romenesko's media-news site is inspiring today's round of jokes about servile reporters by noting the Associated Press is trying to get the street space in front of its Washington bureau declared a "prostitution-free zone."
'I’ve been in touch with the commander of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Third District about the resurgence of the prostitution problem in front of our bureau," AP employees were told by Ed Tobias of the wire service's security department. "My email included a request that the 1100 block of 13th Street be designated as a 'prostitution free zone.' If designated as such, police officers would have an easier time making arrests for loitering."
The blog DCist added:
The AP's Washington office, at 1100 13th Street NW, is a block from Thomas Circle, which is often called "The Track" in the District's sex trade.
Prostitution-free zones give police the authority to ask a group of two or more people who appear to be engaging in sex work to disperse or face arrest. The enforcement strategy was introduced in 2006 and lasts for 10 days in any area designated by police. The most recent prostitution-free zone was declared last October around the intersection of 59th Street NE and East Capitol Street. Councilmember Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) has been one of the zones' strongest advocates, introducing legislation that would allow police to make them permanent.
But since January, prostitution-free zones have been on hiatus with the office of D.C. Attorney General Irv Nathan questioning their constitutionality.
