The Dallas City Council has passed an ordinance that limits cruising along Harry Hines Boulevard and several nearby streets in northwest Dallas. Neighbors have complained that the region has seen an increase in prostitution. Police say the cruising ban will allow them to target the men who are forcing women into prostitution along with the customers who solicit sex.
The ordinance will allow police officers to pull over anyone seen driving through the area three times within a two hour period. Some members of the Dallas City Council had originally expressed concerns the ordinance could be used by officers to unfairly target people based on their race. But the ordinance passed unanimously at this week's City Council meeting after several Council Members went on a ride-along with Dallas Police to observe conditions in the neighborhood first-hand.
"The pimps that were driving and cruising - it's like they were stalking their prey or their property...making sure their girls were out there making money. It was very sad to see," said Council Member Adam Medrano. "This is the only way we're going to be able to stop them from treating the ladies the way that they are."
People stopped for violating the ordinance could face a fine of up to $500. The ordinance will expire at the beginning of 2022, but could be extended. The Council also instructed the police department to collect data about citations that are issued and report back to the Council.
Council Member Omar Narvaez also went on a ride-along with officers to observe conditions in the area, which includes parts of Walnut Hill Lane and Shady Trail.
"I was watching minors being forced into sex work - little girls that were 10, 12, 14 years old...some as old as 16 years old. There were other women who were adults, the vast majority of them forced into this 'lifestyle', if you want to call it that," he said. "I overheard on the radios women asking to get a drink of water and being denied because they hadn't made a thousand dollars yet to come inside."
Dallas Police say they do not plan to use the ordinance to target the women, but will instead refer those women to non-profit groups and social service agencies that deal with victims of sex trafficking.