Hookers follow workers' dollars- Katrina labor force attracts them to N.O.

nola.com ^ | 10/08/06 | Trymaine Lee

[Ellesu]

For prostitutes working the streets of New Orleans, the post-flood era has sparked a boom in business, largely owing to the influx of an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 out-of-town workers away from their families with money to blow, police said.

It's "like the Super Bowl" for sex workers, said Deputy Chief James Scott, commander of the Police Department's Intelligence Division, from his division's headquarters in a trailer.

Though police are making more arrests for prostitution than before Hurricane Katrina, Scott said quantifying such results is difficult because undercover officers often can't develop conclusive evidence to make a clear-cut prostitution case. It often takes a transfer of cash, "getting naked with them" and clear evidence that the prostitute wants to trade a sexual favor for cash and not just because "she thinks you're hot," Scott said.

[hometoroost]

"Scott said quantifying such results is difficult because undercover officers often can't develop conclusive evidence to make a clear-cut prostitution case."

Based on what I saw in the Katrina aftermath another possible hurdle is having to wait in line behind the uniformed officers before you can try to gather evidence.

[Dacus943]

"and clear evidence that the prostitute wants to trade a sexual favor for cash and not just because "she thinks you're hot," Scott said."

If they would use me 'undercover' I guarantee the hookers could never use the "I think you're hot" excuse!

[reg45]

Does anyone doubt that there were hookers in New Orleans before Katrina hit?

[El Gato]

Attracting Hookers to New Orleans? Isn't that sort of like trying to attract snow to Alaska?

[Bernard]

estimated 40,000 to 50,000 out-of-town workers away from their families with money to blow...

It appears that editors with good taste have also failed to return to New Orleans, or maybe they just don't get it when it comes to wording in a story about prostitution.

[Axhandle]

"... out-of-town workers away from their families with money to blow..." - unfortunate choice of words.

"... undercover officers often can't develop conclusive evidence to make a clear-cut prostitution case."

A likely excuse. "Gee Hank, I'm not sure. Give me another 15 minutes and I'll get back to you."

[MissEdie]

Like prostitutes and other criminals weren't running NO and LA before Katrina hit.

[MissEdie]

with money to blow...

or mayber their pun was intended? ;0)

[goresalooza]

"It's "like the Super Bowl" for sex workers, said Deputy Chief James Scott, commander of the Police Department's Intelligence Division, from his division's headquarters in a trailer. "

Clearly, the honchos in NOLA are thrilled. Nothing like bringing NOLA back to its pre-Katrina cesspool days. But down the road, HIV/AIDs rates will rise and of course, it will be Bush's fault.

[CATravelAgent]

Poor ol' General Joe. A second rate general finds immortality. Could we start calling gay prostitutes Barnies?

[HangThemHigh]

There was a thread (yesterday I think) saying the population of New Orleans is only about 25% of the nearly 500,000 there before Katrina.

I wonder if the 40 - 50,000 were counted in that total? Even if not, that would seem to say that 25% of the people that have returned are temporary workers.

Wonder what the unemployment rate is down there now? There are obviously jobs out the wazoo for anyone willing to work.

[stylin19a]

plus add in the guesstimate of the # of hookers..
no wonder Nagin won the election big-time.

[Bogey78O]

There's a massage parlor...oh sorry "health spa" that was one of the first businesses opened along Chef Mentewur in NO East.

[bvw]

"Hookers in New Orleans" -- what's next, a story and headline about how there's "Snow in Alaska!"

[mewzilla]

And to think NOLA withdrew from the running for the Democratic Convention....

Go figure.

[RobRoy]

Hookers in NO. Whoda thunk it.

[BallyBill]

"Hey,we're all gonna get laid"

[razorback-bert]

I had been wondering where all ours went.

[bannie]

Camp followers--in the tradition of the original "Hookers."