2005/06/15 Council Agenda Packet

As to the issues and problems facing the neighborhood and Times Square, all three mentioned drug dealing and prostitution, and two spoke of the negative effects of street crime, even if they were only perceived effects. All three said that Times Square is and should be a place of entertainment and tourism, but that there was a difference between this and sleaze. One person also mentioned that the stalled 42nd Street development and the empty buildings had "deadened" the block. She was also concerned about the decline of neighborhood service stores, needed by seniors and families living in the. area. Religious Organizations Six•church representatives were interviewed, one'of whom had.been in the area only a few months while the others had been working In the Times Square area for many years: While,these people all decried the*content of the advertising at -adult use businesses, their image of women, and the negative effects of their existence; their true complaints were directed at the ancillary activities or effects that they insist were :the inevitable result of the businesses' presence. Each of these members of the clergy spoke about the prevalence of prostitution activity. Many knew who.these prostitutes were, and were concerned about the violence they had observed, women being beaten and other violent. incidents associated .with the selling of sex on the street. They all stated that the presence of these stores attracted people who, as one put it, "are involved in some sort of scam". That is, the stores attract hangers-on, street people who engage in gambling, drug dealing, as well as groups of men looking for sex, and women, men,- and boys selling: sex. -.-Three -of these :interviewees acknowledged that there Is also a great deal of prostitution west of Eighth Avenue where there are no adult entertainment spots... Clergy spoke of themselves and , their parishioners being accosted by prostitus; one described an attempt by a prostitute to pick his pocket as he walked his dog on Eighth Avenue. One church leader believed that people come from all over the world to patronize the pompgraphy establishments in the area, but hree others said that they did not believe that tourists came to Times..Square•,for .this purpose. Instead, ,they. maintained that It was difficult for_tourists to make their _way past the sleaze of EIghth��Avenue: These church people, like the community residents, spoke of a feeling that things had been improving In their -community until the most recent influx of additional adult entertainment businesses. In some respects they welcomed what they saw as the improved image of Times Square, and praised the work of the BID. But their major issue, above all others, remains the drug problem, and resultant street crime, which they see as the scourge of the entire community. EVER00233 47