Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution (SOAP)

Living Among Pimps and Gun Battles Over the weekend, frustrated neighbors living near pimps and gun battles along Seattle’s notorious Aurora Ave N. blasted Mayor Katie Wilson for failing on public safety. They’re also calling out City Attorney Erika Evans. She’s following through on a campaign promise not to enforce certain laws that are already on the books like the Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution (SOAP) zones. The ordinance, championed by former Seattle Councilmember Cathy Moore and former City Attorney Ann Davison, bans people from certain areas if they’ve been charged or convicted of prostitution-related crimes. Evans says she wants to offer better alternatives. But many neighbors aren’t buying it.

New Parts of downtown Seattle and Chinatown-ID are on life support. Drug addicts and criminals have taken over entire street corners. Look at the situation on the ground right now in Little Saigon. It’s devastating this Asian American community. That’s why today, the Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA) and Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution (SOAP) ordinances will be in front of the full Council for a final vote. If enforced properly, these could be game changers. Neighbors and business owners hope common sense prevails. And just to be clear, what you are seeing on the streets is NOT an affordable housing issue. This is ALL being fueled by hard-core drug addiction. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. Read More ›