Four Men Arrested for Soliciting Prostitution

I could only think of Rick Santorum upon reading this article. A recent article in the INDY stated property crimes like burglaries ect are up. Instead a consensual arrangement between two adults turns into a waste of tax dollars, and at best public embarassment to the defendants. And for what ultimate purpose? To enforce someone's idea of morality?

Ken, its about the taxes not being paid for the act, not the act itself. Follow the $$$ bro, always comes down to the $$$ :) henry

@hank

Mostly, I think you are correct, but if prostitution were legal, then there it would be a business, and taxes would be paid--at least, on the *reported* income.

Funny thing though, is that even if prostitution were legalized, I'm sure there would need to be a government angency to cover "sex trades". Or at least, there would have to be new rules/laws created and enforced--imagine, OSHA requirements for sex! Then, we'd get another program that the Tea Party could rail against, as in "Cut spending for sex!" [Not trying to make this thread political, but think it would be funny!]

Btw, prostitution IS already legalized, in a sense. Isn't that was paying actors in adult films is? And to take it further, what if one works in the film industry, and solicits "talent" from an online ad?--Is it okay, if they sign a contract before payment? [I vaguely recall some laws about how adult films can only be filmed in certain, approved areas, but I don't know if that's true.]

Prudishness before freedom. Capitol Hill knows that drugs and sex are big business, tax-free. But who's gonna bell that cat? The groundswell's gotta come first. But Denmark smells fishy to the good burghers of Mayberry, at least when they're not doing drugs or paying for sex.

Wow, what a way to embarrass a bunch of poor, innocent people...

EqqusP: "Btw, prostitution IS already legalized, in a sense. Isn't that was paying actors in adult films is?"

Ye & no w/ that comment. Yes, prostitution IS legal in parts of Nevada (Sparks I believe) where the now defunct Mustang Ranch & other brothels exist.
However, I have to add here that the porn industry is NOT prostitution.
Well, it is in a "relative sense, you get paid to do something you otherwise may not do, but as for the legal definition of prostitution, it doesn't fit. It is pornography, but a far cry from prostitution.
But here's the ultimate act of prostitution that DOES exists: POLITICS. You gotta be a total HO to do that, so YES, prostitution IS already legalized! Now please pass the HoCakes (cause even ho's gots to eat!) :) henry

What a waste of taxpayers money and resources that could have been used to protect us from predatory criminals.

As for prostitution, many sham marriages are forms of prostitution with one partner having the $$$ and the other making sure that they don't lose that prettyboy/cosmopolitan magazine look.

We should hold a fundraiser for them.

Are kissing booths considered prostitution?

"But here's the ultimate act of prostitution that DOES exists: POLITICS." - hank

BWA ha ha! Thanks, Hank.

When are politicians going to ban the new, blindingly bright headlights? Or require sanitary design in restrooms? Never! No one is paying them to do that. To do something for nothing would weaken them in the eyes of lobbyists. No dice!

They should have invaded a Third World country if they had all that money and energy to spare.

What a freakin' waste. I hope the honorable members of the SB City Council give Cam a ration of **** about this next time he appears before that esteemed body.

Did you really need to post their photos? What's the point of that? To shame them? It's like the Indy is making itself part of the criminal-justice system by punishing them.

Our local law enforcement officers never cease to find new ways to waste resources. Violent crime and property crimes should always be highest priority. Besides...four arrests?? Pathetic. From what I have seen and heard prostitution based out of the web via craigslist or dedicated "escort" sites is huge business and our local pigs were able to round up a whole FOUR "Johns". Don't get me wrong, I wish they'd gotten none of them, but I also wish they were at least good at a job they set their mind to. It's morality police today. Tomorrow will come the thought police. Toe the line or you WILL BE a target for something or another. Time to fight back.

I also find it interesting that this is one of few issues that the resident Indy commenters all seem to agree on. Take a hint puercos!!

@hank and the rest you who think it's all about tax dollars and a waste of tax payer $$$...it's about the war on helping stop human trafficking. The United States is #1 in human trafficking for illegal prostitution. Twelve year old girls and up are forced to have sex by their pimps. These girls and women are mislead, threaten, kid napped & beaten. Consensual, I don't think so. It's happening in all cities right under your noses. The National Geographic channel is running a documentary on human trafficking in the U.S. If I were you I would watch it and get educated about this.

MrJ, w/ all due respect to you & the seriousness of human trafficking, I think you're looking @ the mountain while the molehills keep popping up around you.
The history of prostitution in SB is dismal, if not minor & has not really been linked to the scourge you speak of.
It has always been a madam & her lackey (remember the "Dragon" case?) scenario or recently the massage parlor that was giving happy endings.
If the case involved human trafficking, it would've blown up the moment the arrests were made.
Usually what prostitution around these parts involves is $$$ being moved/exchanged & drugs being purchased/used.
Does it make prostitution right? That depends on your moral judgement, ethics or code of conduct as well as your ability to "get some."

SezSomething (but not sure what): "I hope the honorable members of the SB City Council give Cam a ration of **** about this next time he appears before that esteemed body."

Hey, rocket scientist, read the article next time:

"Santa Barbara Sheriff's Detectives have arrested four men for allegedly soliciting prostitution during two separate sting operations in Goleta."

Not to defend Cam, but he or the City of SB have NADA, NOTHING, ZILCH to do w/ this bust.
Jeez smartie, always quick to point the finger @ anyone but yourself.
Forsake the facts for an incessant focus on grammar & supposed twitspeak. But I do agree w/ you totally, a waste of $$$.

Jimstoic: "Did you really need to post their photos? What's the point of that? To shame them? It's like the Indy is making itself part of the criminal-justice system by punishing them."

Jim, hate to say it, but it is a 1st Amendment Constitutional & Freedom of Information Act issue.
While posting their mugshots is kind of harsh, the Indy is well within their right(s) to do so.
This isn't being part of the criminal justice system, just reporting what's happened.
Remember when the SB News dePressed had that in-house issue about Travis Armstrong's DUI arrest?
He got popped by the popo for driving while ethanoled & Wendy Mc tried to get the news room to "supress" the story about her favorite little lapdog.
Works both ways my friend & if you, me or ANY of us on here do something illegal that draws media attention, guess where our mugs will be shown? :) henry

Here's the proof that there is plenty of room to cut the law enforcement budgets. Please post pictures of the loser cops that are wasting time entrapping these poor guys. I'd especially like to see a picture of the lovely cop-ette dressed up like a working girl. Ha ha :-)

The City of Santa Barbara has nothing to do with this. Notice the lede of the article:
"Santa Barbara Sheriff's Detectives have arrested four men for allegedly soliciting prostitution during two separate sting operations in Goleta."

The operative words are SHERIFF's and GOLETA.

But still, don't we all feel so much safer already?
What is next? Pulling up some pot plants?

John_A: "What is next? Pulling up some pot plants?"

I'm sure you may know this, but then again, maybe not. In my home state of FL the difference between some REAL hard time in the pen & not comes down to the # of pot plants in your possession. Ready for the #'s? 25 = you're screwed :) henry

Jiohn_A, part of my post was omitted, the numbers are:

25 = hard time

:) henry

LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN! 24 or less plants = no hard time, 25 or more plants = hard time :) henry