According to honoluluadvertiser.com, Honolulu is considering a bill that would impound the cars of men who patronize prostitutes.
In a nutshell:
• City Council Bill 4 would impound vehicles of johns.
• Johns would face fees, towing charges to retrieve their vehicles.
• Impounded vehicles not claimed would be auctioned.
• Those found not guilty would get a refund.
Unlike many seizure laws, this one would not immediately declare the cars to be state property, but would permit owners to get the car back by paying the fees and charges. Only unclaimed cars would be auctioned off.
Honolulu police have opposed the bill, and say it would apply only to those who try to pick up police officers who are undercover posing as prostitutes because police “would need probable cause a crime is occurring,” according to testimony to the City Council.
Out of 276 prostitution arrests last year, only 34 were arrested as a result of someone trying to pick up a police officer posing as a hooker. Also, prostitution arrests have declined since 2007, so why pass yet another new law?
I guess, since sex workers are fair game, a new law targeting them makes for good press.
