Prostitutes Get Funding Cut

Tampa Crossroads created the program noted below at the request of residents involved in dealing with the prostitution problem. They began the bare bones of this program without any funding.

We have jacked up the number of arrests of Johns and prostitutes but treatment is what is needed to deal with the issue long term. So this veto by the Governor is a Pro-Crime veto!

Article in Tampa Tribune
Jun 2, 2005
Gov. Bush Vetoes Funding For Treatment Of Prostitutes
By KATHY STEELE ksteele@tampatrib.com

TAMPA - A community-based prostitution treatment program lost an opportunity to expand after Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed $175,000 from the state's 2005-06 budget.

The money was slated for housing and job training sought by Tampa Crossroads for clients in PRIDE, or the Prostitution Redirection Initiative-Diversion and Education, and JADE, or Johns Awareness, Diversion, and Education.

"We'll go back to square one," said Sara Romeo, executive director of Crossroads. "We do believe in this program. We know it works."

The programs, which began in 2001, provide treatment, education and counseling for people charged with prostitution. Referrals to the programs come from courts, police officers, and clergy.

Bush's press secretary, Jacob LaPietre, said the veto wasn't a reflection on the program.

"This is definitely a well-intended program," LaPietre said. "But the governor doesn't believe it's a state purpose to fund something that deals with something at the county level."

Romeo said the agency has about 15 clients, mostly men who are court-ordered to attend the "johns" school. The program is supported by the fees these clients pay, she said.

A portion of the johns fees collected has been used to help prostitutes but is insufficient, Romeo said.

The state money would have allowed Crossroads to help 60 to 70 women who want to leave prostitution, she said.

"Without these funds we won't be able to provide services to women at all," Romeo said. "People think women want to be in this because they want to be. We have found that not to be the case."
Seminole Heights residents and Tampa police aggressively have worked to end prostitution on Nebraska Avenue, said Elvin Martinez Jr., who works in the state attorney's office and is president-elect of the Crossroads board of directors.

"Tampa Crossroads has a long track record," Martinez said. "We thought the program would have had a big impact on repeat offenders and recidivism."

Seminole Heights resident David "Scott" Banghart said the veto was "fiscally irresponsible." He serves as moderator on the Hillsborough County Prostitution Task Force.

"It costs more to put prostitutes in jail than to impact their lives and make them responsible taxpayers," Banghart said.

"Without these funds we won't be able to provide services to women at all. People think women want to be in this because they want to be. We have found that not to be the case."Sara Romeo Executive director of Crossroads

This story can be found at:
http://centraltampa.tbo.com/centraltampa/MGBA7DG1G9E.html