Red Light District in Detroit

neighbor · February-19-10, 09:37 AM

The whole Pugh v. Winans thing got me thinking. Why doesn't Detroit just build a red light district.

Legalized pot and prostitution in a small area heavily taxed, regulated and policed.

The beauty of it being in Detroit would be that there is plenty of places to start it that aren't in peoples backyards.

This would be a great way to free up some police who are doing useless nickle and dime pot busts, increase city revenue, and attract people to the city.

Casinos, restaurants, and better hotels would probably see a nice increase in business as well.

I know there are laws and morals to be considered but really if it's not your think just don't go. Besides if there weren't places like these ministers and activists would have to start addressing the real problems in society.

**lafayette** · February-19-10, 10:02 AM

It's an excellent idea and has proven to work in other places. It's out of sight for those who don't want to see X-rated facilities near their homes, grocery stores, churches, retail areas, etc. and it's concentrated geographically so it's easier to police. Problem is, which politician is gonna have the guts to add to their platform a "pro-red light district" agenda?

**kryptonite** · February-19-10, 10:28 AM

I agree with the idea, but the Detroit preachers already have their holier-than-thou undies in a wad about strip joints, you know they won't support a red light district. They strongly opposed casino referenda in the 1980's, you know something like this would go over like a turd in a punchbowl.

Lafayette, I agree, I don't see any politician proposing anything like this.

**lafayette** · February-19-10, 10:40 AM

You're probably right, kryptonite. What would be ironic about their opposition, though, would be that a red light district would actually mean better treatment of those they say they're concerned about and move what exists already to a different location. No one's saying add more strips clubs, sleaze joints, etc., although that could happen. But that wouldn't be the goals, which are a safer, more policed sleaze industry and one that's kept away from non-X rated areas of the city. A person of God should, in theory, support that.

neighbor · February-19-10, 10:55 AM

What I don't understand and never will about politicians is that it's a secret ballot.

I would for once like to see someone running for office come out and support something like legalizing pot and remind people that it is a secret ballot.

You don't have to tell anyone who you are voting for. When that person does get elected you can just say " I don't know who voted for him but it sure wasn't me. Wanna go smoke?"

**lafayette** · February-19-10, 11:08 AM

You're right about voting being secret, neighbor. But public figures will always be pressured to take a stance on the issue publicly.

**firstandten** · February-19-10, 11:12 AM

In Detroit there is very little separation of church and state. The churches bring out the vote so they have a lot of power. Remember, it was the churches that was partially responsible for holding up the casino's for so many years. Its wasn't until the articles about how well Windsor was doing that finally made the preachers drop their insane opposition and broke the gridlock. Pugh showed a lot of courage in going head to head with Rev. Winans, since most Detroit politicans would not have challenged him in that way. As black Detroiters we need to focus more on not mixing church and state. We should hold our politicans to a standard and our preachers another more appropriate standard.

**Detroitnerd** · February-19-10, 11:17 AM

Plum Street?

**firstandten** · February-19-10, 11:21 AM

We got a lot of vacant land in Detroit, so finding a spot shouldn't be a problem.
Problem is the NIMBY's or the NIMNearbyBY or NIMPotentialBY all come out in force and make the process much more difficult than it should be.

**lafayette** · February-19-10, 11:21 AM

My suggestion for a location for a red light district would be somewhere that isn't thriving right now. We don't want to tear down one of the few thriving areas of the city for a new development [[or, even worse, for a new development that never happened - see: Bricktown). Not to say Plum street is thriving, just saying it's a good approach to keep in mind overall. There are plenty of unused areas of the city that need development.

**lafayette** · February-19-10, 11:23 AM

you're right, firstandten.

**R8RBOB** · February-19-10, 11:32 AM

Years ago, I had one of those mad genius moments and suggested to others that Detroit should annex Highland Park and turn it into Detroit's entertainment zone. Perfect location, middle of the city.

http://r8rbob.workpress.com

**jiminnm** · February-19-10, 11:36 AM

Since the laws against prostitution and marijuana use are state laws, how do you propose getting the state legislature to pass, and a governor to sign, their repeal?

**lafayette** · February-19-10, 11:48 AM

I'd be happy to start a district even with what's legal at this point - strip clubs. That would go a long way to getting sleaze out of residential areas. They're the most visible eye sores.

**sirrealone** · February-19-10, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by neighbor

The whole Pugh v. Winans thing got me thinking. Why doesn't Detroit just build a red light district.

Been listening to Valenti & Foster on 97.1 The Ticket? This was a topic on Thursday afternoon's show.

**sumas** · February-19-10, 12:21 PM

In the late 1800's and early 1900's hundreds Griswold was the red light district.

**lafayette** · February-19-10, 12:30 PM

I wonder why these pastors conveniently forget that Jesus sought out and embraced prostitutes or, as they called them, the lowly, the scorned, the most despised among us, the most hated and disenfranchised at the bottom of society. You'd think they'd want to do anything they can to make their lives better, even if it means a small step without actually getting them out of prostitution or whatever their vice is.

**lafayette** · February-19-10, 12:32 PM

Although, I have to make sure I make the distinction between prostitutes [[illegal) and strip club workers [[generally legal, within certain parameters). For the red light district, at least the most achievable start, I'm talking about currently legal sleaze. The prostitute reference was just the attitude most of the most vocal, Baptist preachers have against all those associated with any vice.

**Detroitnerd** · February-19-10, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by lafayette

I wonder why these pastors conveniently forget that Jesus sought out and embraced prostitutes or, as they called them, the lowly, the scorned, the most despised among us, the most hated and disenfranchised at the bottom of society. You'd think they'd want to do anything they can to make their lives better, even if it means a small step without actually getting them out of prostitution or whatever their vice is.

Haha. That's a good point, lafayette. Then again, these people are into the "old-time religion," which involves a lot of shaming and railing and such. In religions like this, there's usually a great deal of hypocrisy and stupidity. [[If you want to see pastors embrace prostitutes, drop in at the Cabana Motel.

)

**lafayette** · February-19-10, 01:03 PM

Good one about the Cabana, detroitnerd. thanks for the laugh! Yeah, so much of that religious view is about damning, judging, fingerpointing, and stressing fear rather than mercy and compassion.

**Django** · February-19-10, 01:08 PM

Ive been calling for a red light district in Detroit for years now on this site. Wasn't so popular an idea 4 or 5 yrs ago. Glad to see more ppl are jumping on board. Its just common sense that you cant stop supply and demand, you can try and steer it but you cant stop it.

Detroit would be the perfect testing grounds but I hear Za Za Gabores husband is running for governor of CA. and proposing a similar idea. Interested to see how that goes.

As long as we're dreaming, I propose Chene between I-94 and Forest, I would love to see that area come back. As long as we're legalizing the minor stuff can we decrim the cocaine and heroin, Im sick of hearing about the prison system becoming big business in the area of storing people because of mandatory minimums.

Anyone remember Mayor Kurt Schmoke? he tried to steer Baltimore in a similar direction of legalization but wound up shooting himself in the foot with that idea, but that was many years ago.

**lafayette** · February-19-10, 01:11 PM

No, I don't remember the Baltimore mayor. What happened?

**Django** · February-19-10, 01:26 PM

Lafayette, as I remember he was demonized quite a bit for his anti drug war stance and it really hurt him politically, maybe I was wrong. Maybe it didnt hurt him as much as I thought it did.

This is from Wiki.
On November 3, 1987, he was elected mayor. As mayor, he became known for his opposition to the "War on Drugs" and his stance in favor of drug decriminalization. Schmoke initiated programs in housing, education, public health and economic development. During his three terms in office Schmoke faced very serious challenges, including poor quality schools, drug addiction, and violent crime. Some of his controversial positions included advocating the decriminalization of drug use, and employing Nation of Islam security guards in a housing project. His achievements included improving the environment of low-income housing projects, a needle-exchange program for addicts, keeping the tax rate stable, and attracting the Ravens football team to Baltimore.[8] In 1992, President George H. W. Bush awarded him the national Literacy Award for his efforts to promote adult literacy, and in 1994 President Bill Clinton cited Baltimore's programs to improve public housing and enhance community economic development and named Baltimore one of six cities to receive Empowerment Zone designation.

On a side note about Schmoke, in the TV series The Wire, the chief of police starts a red light district of his own in Baltimore called Hamsterdam. This character was based on Schmoke. The red light district didn't work so well on the series for obvious reasons if youve seen the show, GREAT show btw.

.

**lafayette** · February-19-10, 01:37 PM

Sounds like a wonderful, progressive mayor. No wonder folks hated him.

**exmotowner** · February-19-10, 02:17 PM

can you do something like that in a city, without it being legal in the state? Just wondering. I think its a great idea. Not everyone in Amsterdam is walking around stoned out of their minds and no hookers in the street. One way to bring more people in, but good luck getting this through city clownsil. Its common sense that people are doing anyway and will continue to do so. As long as theres been people, there been prostitution and god knows how long pot as been around. Neither are going anywhere so might as well get some taxes off of it.