Business owner: Barricades didn't keep away prostitutes

Barricades that were put up on McMicken Street in Fairview as part of an effort to curb prostitution were taken down July 31 as planned.

The barricades were temporary, put up to see if such a program worked.

Serdar Durrani, owner of D & D Mart on 2820 W. McMicken, was glad to see the barricades go.

"It wasn't a deterrent to prostitutes," said Durrani. "It was a deterrent to my business."

Durrani, 64, estimated that he lost nearly 40% of his business because of the barricades. He noted that many customers were unable to get to his shop due to the barricades and went elsewhere.

"I hope to regain the business I lost," said Durrani.

While there were fewer customers in his mart, Durrani said the amount of prostitution actually increased.

"It created a haven," said Durrani, of Fairfield, who has run the market for 18 years. "I had to chase some away from my parking lot. ... There needs to be more police presence here, not just barricades," said Durrani.

Now an assessment of whether the barricades worked will begin. Council is set to discuss the issue Monday.

Throughout the spring some residents complained the barricades made life more difficult – in particular, disrupting bus routes. Others found they did what they were designed to do: keep johns from cruising up and down the street.

The removal comes as an anti-barricade group is fighting them in federal court, a suit which could keep them from being put back up.

A more comprehensive plan to combat prostitution is in the works.

City administrators are continuing to research:

• Publishing the names of people convicted of prostitution-related offenses through a press release to media outlets or on the city's government access TV channel.

• Notifying an offender's spouse upon a prostitution-related arrest or conviction and a positive test for a sexually transmitted disease.

• Issuing orders to keep johns from visiting areas known for prostitution activity.

• Creating a court specifically for prostitution offenses that offers jail diversion options.

• Offering a "john school" as a condition of a suspended sentence.

• Increasing fines for prostitution-related offenses and earmarking that money to be used for programs to reduce sex trafficking.