In a controversial move, City Attorney Ann Davison and Councilmember Cathy Moore championed new laws aimed at addressing the intertwined issues of prostitution and gun violence in North Seattle. The City Council’s decision to reinstate the crime of ‘prostitution loitering’ and establish ‘Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution’ (SOAP) orders aimed to create a safer environment on Aurora Ave. N by banning individuals from entering specified zones.
The underlying premise of these laws was that targeting those who solicit sex would help reduce gun violence, often attributed to conflicts among pimps over territory. Advocates argued that taking action against patrons of sex workers would ultimately deter criminal activity in the area. “Cracking down swiftly and decisively on sex buyers will help address commercial sexual exploitation and associated gun violence,” Moore asserted during discussions about the law’s implementation.
However, more than seven months post-implementation, the expected urgency has failed to materialize. To date, the city has issued a mere five SOAP orders, a stark contrast to the swift action the proponents promised.
Of the five SOAP orders, all but one have been directed towards indigent men represented by public defenders. Most of these men qualify as indigent by earning less than 125% of the federal poverty level—approximately $24,000 annually— or by demonstrating an inability to afford legal representation. Notably, only one of the SOAP defendants is white, and one required an English interpreter, indicating a demographic skew in those targeted by these orders.
In total, since the law passed in October, Davison’s office has filed charges against only nine men for prostitution loitering or ‘sexual exploitation,’ raising eyebrows about the focus and effectiveness of the implementation. Tim Robinson, a spokesman for Davison’s office, acknowledged that the Seattle Municipal Court’s process for screening personal recognizance releases resulted in delays for SOAP order requests. “We expect to see an increase in the number of SOAP orders issued in a timely manner in the future,” Robinson stated.
Court records reveal five instances where suspects arrested for prostitution-related offenses were released without a SOAP order, complicating the city’s approach to controlling the area. Notably, three of these released individuals later received SOAP orders.
Currently, all five SOAP cases are still pending, meaning the individuals are prohibited from entering the designated SOAP zone despite not having been convicted of any crime. This zone includes a stretch of Aurora Ave. N from N. 85th St. to the city line at N. 145th, alongside an equivalent of three city blocks on either side of the avenue.
Judge Damon Shadid, who approved two of the five SOAP orders, expressed caution regarding the use of these orders. “They should not be used arbitrarily or automatically when an individual is charged with a prostitution-related crime,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of assessing requests case-by-case. Shadid outlined several relevant factors for considering SOAP orders, including prior convictions for prostitution or domestic violence, and whether the individual can access essential services without impediment.
Among the five men who received SOAP orders, there is a concerning trend: three of them had previous arrests for trying to pay for sex, which were ultimately dismissed. The discrepancies in how these arrests lead to SOAP orders highlight the complexities surrounding implementation and the overall strategy.
Each police operation targeting sex buyers is resource-intensive, often requiring around 20 officers and significant financial commitment. Before engaging in undercover operations, officers attend a two-day ‘decoy school’ to learn the specific language and behavior characteristic of sex work, complete with practice scenarios and hand signals for identifying distress.
Police reports paint a vivid picture of recent arrests. In one instance, two men approached an undercover officer outside a Jack-In-the-Box, indicating their intentions as they mentioned wanting to shower after work. In another case, a man—who needed an interpreter due to limited English proficiency—questioned the undercover officer about her role, demonstrating confusion and nervousness about the encounter.
The accessibility of the SOAP zone complicates compliance for individuals living in the area. One man arrested in the Lowe’s parking lot claimed he resided within the SOAP zone, creating significant difficulties for him in navigating his daily life while abiding by the order. In contrast, another man reportedly inquired about prices for sex before driving away, further illustrating the varied motivations underlying the charges.
Despite public opinion largely supportive of decriminalizing sex work, the actions taken by the City Council seem to be targeting the most vulnerable among sex workers and patrons. Critics argue that this approach neither disrupts sex trafficking networks nor effectively decreases gun violence. “These charges and orders will not stop sex trafficking or gun violence,” stated Matt Sanders, Interim Director of the King County Department of Public Defense. He further elaborated that these tactics often exacerbate the very issues they purport to address.
Referencing the work of UW professor Katherine Beckett, Sanders pointed out the inadequate outcomes of previous SOAP zones in Seattle. “We have learned that punitive measures do not yield successful results in combating these challenges,” he remarked, emphasizing that the city must pivot to evidence-based strategies.
Sanders urged for practical solutions focusing on improving emergency shelter access, affordable housing, and economic support programs as viable alternatives to punitive measures. He lamented the missed opportunity for the city to engage deeply with service providers and academics who outlined effective strategies during council testimonies.
Additionally, it is crucial to address the demographics of those most often arrested under these new laws. Many of the men targeted are immigrants, who may lack access to alternative avenues for purchasing sex discreetly compared to their white counterparts, who are more likely to secure private legal representation when confronted with charges.
Davison’s office maintains that the implementation of SOAP orders is integral to creating accountability in combating human trafficking on Aurora. They emphasize the importance of establishing a belief among sex traffickers and their clients that arrests and genuine consequences are probable.
The apparent disconnect between the city’s stated goals and the outcomes of these new laws raises serious questions about their effectiveness in addressing the pressing issues of gun violence and sex trafficking. As local advocacy continues to voice the need for more comprehensive and humane solutions, the path forward must consider the complexities and realities faced by the city’s vulnerable populations.
image source from：https://publicola.com/2025/04/22/seattle-leaders-said-stay-out-orders-would-reduce-gun-violence-and-sex-trafficking-so-far-theyve-issued-five/
