Surveillance cameras and other video technology can be used to discourage sex buyers or to provide evidence against them. Openly used cameras serve as a deterrent, and those used covertly help to gather evidence for police and prosecutors. In some instances, members of communities have used video cameras and have posted footage on websites, or forwarded the evidence to police. Cameras have been used in these ways in more than 135 U.S. cities and counties.
To learn more about this intervention, access the resources provided below.
Reports on Use of Cameras to Combat Demand for Commercial Sex:
- Buffalo, NY:
- Benson and Matthews (2000); “Workable Solutions to Prostitution”; Buffalo Prostitution Task Force (1999)
- Gordon Heights, NY:
- New York Times (1993); “Town Puts Prostitutes on Videotape” (PDF, 140KB)
- Jupiter, FL:
- Badcock (2019); “How Jupiter Detectives Gathered Evidence in Prostitution Sting” (PDF, 102KB)
- Sanford, FL:
- Flacy (2013); “Florida Police Use License Plate Cameras to Curtail Prostitution” (PDF, 90KB)
- Tacoma, WA:
- Mulick (2007) “Crackdown on Pacific Avenue: Extra patrols, community activism make a dent in prostitution” (JPG, 687KB)
- Fontaine (2007) “Neighbors plan crime control” (JPG, 999KB)
- Mulick (2009) “Tacoma Police Cracking Down on Prostitution” (PDF, 101KB)
- Vallejo, CA:
- Vallejo KCBS (2011); “Success Fighting Prostitution Prompts Vallejo To Deploy More Cameras” (PDF, 121KB)
