She figured they were watching her, too. Darcy is working the streets, but in a different way. She is an observer, with cell phone in hand, trying to rid prostitution and associated crimes from her neighborhood near 28th Street and South Division Avenue. She lives a few blocks away, but said prostitution reaches residential areas, whether it's johns cruising their quiet streets, people having sex in parked cars, teenage girls getting approached by johns, or condoms and wrappers left in yards.
For several years, Darcy, 44, who asked that her last name be withheld, has conducted her special patrols. She has confronted prostitutes and pimps, followed johns in their cars and called police. Mostly, she wants them to know someone is watching. For her efforts, she has been threatened, sworn at and chased.
Her passion is sparked by a neighbor's thenyear-old daughter, who said, "'Look, Mommy, a balloon. It was a used condom on the ground. Concerned for her safety. She takes precautions but knows her efforts could be dangerous. Family and friends worry about her. Police do, too. I'd probably confront the prostitute standing in front of my house and tell her to leave," Capt. Curt VanderKooi said. But is it safe? It may not be very safe for her if she's not careful. We tell her to call us instead of confronting them.
He said prostitution hurts neighborhoods, so it is a priority for the vice unit, which conducts undercover operations. VanderKooi said prostitution has been a problem in several areas, particularly at cheap hotels that cater to a transient population.
Police have just begun efforts to have the Landmark Motel -- deemed a nuisance, with police-related incidents between July 1, , and Sept. Police sent a report and incident records to city attorneys for review. Records showed 33 reports of assault during that period, six robberies, 37 disorderly conduct arrests, and 22 drug and alcohol violations. Police arrested 35 people for outstanding warrants and used search warrants 11 times to look for drugs.
