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CNN Sunday Morning
Tampa's Street Anti-Crime Squad Fights Prostitution
Aired June 29, 2003 - 09:42 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KELLI ARENA, CNN ANCHOR: In Tampa, Florida, a sign of the times on a street that is a haven for prostitutes. Mark Wilson at CNN affiliate WTVT in Tampa has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARK WILSON, WTVT CORRESPONDENT (voice over): They haven't been up long, but you can't miss them if you drive either direction on Nebraska Avenue, from Columbus to Hillsborough. This road has a national reputation as a home for prostitutes. And though neighbors say it's gotten better lately, someone isn't quite satisfied.
Among the signs, one says, "Prostitution is illegal, and johns will get jail time." Another says a third of the prostitutes are HIV positive. "Feel lucky?" And in this one, "Many of the prostitutes on Nebraska are men."
We checked with the police officers who patrol these streets every day. They knew nothing about the signs. So we went to Rose Drugs. Pharmacist and city counsel member Rose Ferlita has been in this community for decades, and she knows everyone.
WILSON (on-camera): Any idea who did it?
ROSE FERLITA, CITY COUNSEL MEMBER, TAMPA, FLORIDA: No. No idea at all.
WILSON (voice over): How about the neighborhood association? They're among the most active in the country, recognized nationally for their walks in their street patrols.
Any idea who's behind it?
FRANK RODER, CIVIC ASSOCIATION, TAMPA, FLORIDA: No, I don't. No clue. I'm sure the neighborhood watch was walking the neighborhood, and it happened without our knowledge.
WILSON (on-camera): And in fact, the only person that we know of who even saw anything suspicious was a security guard. He told us he saw a gentleman pull up in a white minivan with some yellow cards in his hand, approach one of these light poles. But when he got contact with the security guard, he apparently thought he was a police officer because he stopped what he was doing, got in the van, and drove away. So he clearly did not want to get caught. And apparently still wants to remain anonymous. FERLITA: And it makes an impact. Somebody is thinking about picking up a hooker, that's going to make them think about what the chances are.
WILSON: And sure, it's a sign ordinance violation. But you won't find many locals rushing to rip these down. The message is one shared by the majority.
RODER: We're constantly doing everything we can to fight the situation. But, you know, some people want it done quicker. And more power to them. You know, we're trying to work within the system and work with the police department and the city offices and stuff like that. But, you know, it's been a long process. How long do we have to keep walking?
WILSON: Perhaps until there are other signs the message is sinking in. In Tampa, Mark Wilson, FOX 13 News.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 29, 2003 - 09:42 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KELLI ARENA, CNN ANCHOR: In Tampa, Florida, a sign of the times on a street that is a haven for prostitutes. Mark Wilson at CNN affiliate WTVT in Tampa has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARK WILSON, WTVT CORRESPONDENT (voice over): They haven't been up long, but you can't miss them if you drive either direction on Nebraska Avenue, from Columbus to Hillsborough. This road has a national reputation as a home for prostitutes. And though neighbors say it's gotten better lately, someone isn't quite satisfied.
Among the signs, one says, "Prostitution is illegal, and johns will get jail time." Another says a third of the prostitutes are HIV positive. "Feel lucky?" And in this one, "Many of the prostitutes on Nebraska are men."
We checked with the police officers who patrol these streets every day. They knew nothing about the signs. So we went to Rose Drugs. Pharmacist and city counsel member Rose Ferlita has been in this community for decades, and she knows everyone.
WILSON (on-camera): Any idea who did it?
ROSE FERLITA, CITY COUNSEL MEMBER, TAMPA, FLORIDA: No. No idea at all.
WILSON (voice over): How about the neighborhood association? They're among the most active in the country, recognized nationally for their walks in their street patrols.
Any idea who's behind it?
FRANK RODER, CIVIC ASSOCIATION, TAMPA, FLORIDA: No, I don't. No clue. I'm sure the neighborhood watch was walking the neighborhood, and it happened without our knowledge.
WILSON (on-camera): And in fact, the only person that we know of who even saw anything suspicious was a security guard. He told us he saw a gentleman pull up in a white minivan with some yellow cards in his hand, approach one of these light poles. But when he got contact with the security guard, he apparently thought he was a police officer because he stopped what he was doing, got in the van, and drove away. So he clearly did not want to get caught. And apparently still wants to remain anonymous. FERLITA: And it makes an impact. Somebody is thinking about picking up a hooker, that's going to make them think about what the chances are.
WILSON: And sure, it's a sign ordinance violation. But you won't find many locals rushing to rip these down. The message is one shared by the majority.
RODER: We're constantly doing everything we can to fight the situation. But, you know, some people want it done quicker. And more power to them. You know, we're trying to work within the system and work with the police department and the city offices and stuff like that. But, you know, it's been a long process. How long do we have to keep walking?
WILSON: Perhaps until there are other signs the message is sinking in. In Tampa, Mark Wilson, FOX 13 News.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
