DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — Veteran vice detectives were setting up surveillance as Kody Stacy walked up and down East Fifth Street, peering into cars with lone male drivers.

It wasn't long before Ronald A. May pulled up next to her in a 1994 Green Pontiac about 3:40 p.m. on Jan. 5, and Stacy, a known prostitute, got in the car, according to a police report.

May told detectives he took Stacy to smoke crack in exchange for sex, the report stated. Both were issued summons to appear in court and May was able to drive off in his Pontiac.

But starting as early as late spring, offenders like May will no longer be able to drive away if caught soliciting a prostitute within the city.

Police Chief Richard Biehl hopes by then his officers will be trained to enforce a new city ordinance that allows them to impound automobiles used in crimes involving sexual activity.

Offenders will have to pay a towing fee on top of a fine to recover the car. City commissioners passed the ordinance in October.

"We are hoping the possibility of losing your mode of transportation will deter some from engaging in this illegal activity," Biehl said.

Officers make nearly 450 prostitution-related arrests per year, according to police records.

Undercover stings have yielded little results in deterring prostitution. Vice detectives often arrest the same prostitutes again and again and can recognize them from their unmarked cars, according to police reports.

That's how detectives knew Stacy, 30, was a prostitute. She has been arrested five times for prostitution-related crimes, according to court records.

May, 49, and Stacy are awaiting court action on misdemeanor charges of soliciting, loitering and prostitution. May also faces a misdemeanor charge of possessing drug paraphernalia.

Do you think impounding cars of johns will help reduce prostitution?
Yes.
No.
Not sure.
Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results