This class of initiative involves organized, community-led action, such as routinely and systematically forwarding tips to police about sex buyers, conducting citizen patrols targeting demand, operating citizen-led blogs or websites, or launching billboard campaigns featuring messages meant to deter consumers of commercial sex. Some neighborhood organizations participate in “community impact panels” or make presentations at john schools.  We know of more than 265 U.S. cities and counties that have engaged in some form of neighborhood-led action focused on combating demand for commercial sex.

• Locate cities and counties that have used this tactic

To learn more about these types of community-led interventions, access the resources provided below.

Materials from Neighborhood Group in Rochester, New York

• Form for residents to provide johns’ license plates and tips to police: Lyell 230 Tip Sheet (DOC, 97.3KB)
• Press release about Rochester’s “Dear John” campaign: Lyell Press Release, July 6, 2009 (PDF, 74.7KB)
• Print image for Rochester’s “Dear John” campaign: Lyell 230 Sign 8.5×14 (PDF, 3,825.7KB)

Prostitution and Drug Complaint Form, Reading, PA Police Department

• http://www.readingpa.gov/content/drug-and-prostitution-complaint-form

Community Feedback for Town Hall Meeting

• Compilation of community complaints about prostitution, Portland, OR: Portland Neighborhood 82nd Ave Summary of Feedback on Prostitution Problems (PDF, 100.2KB)

Neighborhood-Led Task Force Reports on Prostitution & Demand

• Buffalo, NY: Buffalo Prostitution Task Force Report: Workable Solutions, 1999 (PDF, 3,129.9KB)
• Vallejo, CA: Vallejo Prostitution Task Force Report to City Council, 2011 (DOCX, 29.5KB)

Letter to Mayor From Neighborhood Organization

• Madison, WI Prostitution Letter from Mount Royal Improvement Association (PDF, 102.4KB)

Sample News Reports on Neighborhood Action

• New Haven, CT:
  • http://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/20/nyregion/new-haven-journal-curbing-prostitution-on-demand-side.html (1992)
• Oakland, CA:
  • http://oaklandnorth.net/2012/10/11/dear-john-oakland-residents-are-sending-your-license-plate-number-to-the-cops/ (2012)
• Richmond, CA
  • https://richmondconfidential.org/2020/11/27/richmond-improvement-projects-stalled/ (2020)
• San Jose, CA
  • https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/06/30/san-jose-neighborhood-bands-together-to-push-out-prostitution/ (2017)
• Vallejo, CA:
  • Vallejo public, police team to reduce prostitution (2011)
  • York, J. Vallejo task force studies ways to deter crime, help prostitutes in need. Times Herald, January 3, 2011.
  • Prostitutes Flood Vallejo as Bankrupt City Slashes Police Force by a Third

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