The Rhode Island Senate voted 35 to 0 on a bill which would make indoor prostitution illegal.  The bill also includes penalties for landlords who "knowingly" allow prostitution to occur on their property.  Landlords would face a fine of $100 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and a fine of up to $10,000 and three years in prison for a third offense.  Senator Paul Jabour, the bill's sponsor, said landlords are the "silent force" behind the bill, adding that he included landlords in order to "smoke out the skunks and see who's against it."   From what I've read, there are about 30 brothels in the state of Rhode Island.  Are these 30 property owners the "silent force" Paul Jabour is talking about?

     For those who realize how detrimental this bill might be, it still isn't a done deal.  Both Paul Jabour and Representative Joanne Giannini have sponsored separate bills.  One of the bills would need to be amended, or passed in both chambers.  Once a bill is passed in both chambers, it will definitely be signed by the Governor.  The law's passage isn't a definite, but it certainly looks likely.

     If it is passed and signed by the Governor, Rhode Islanders will have a lot to look forward to.  Many of those prostitutes who conduct business indoors will probably head outdoors to better advertise their services.  So instead of working out of a spa, they can just walk the streets around the local church or the neighborhood school.  It will also give local police officers an excuse to dress up a female vice officer in a mini skirt so she can trap lonely men, while five fellow officers are hiding in the shadows ready to pounce at any moment.  Of course, while these police officers are busy trapping Johns and prostitutes, people in other places will be getting murdered, robbed, and raped.  After all, isn't it more important to arrest prostitutes than walk the beat?

     Those who insist it is necessary to make indoor prostitution illegal usually say the same thing: It's illegal everywhere else (except part of Nevada).  What they don't stop to consider is that prostitution is still alive and well in those states.  Prostitution will never be eradicated, so wouldn't it be better to keep it off the streets?  It's unfortunate when the government finds it necessary to regulate behavior between consenting adults which occurs behind closed doors.  It's even worse when there is a lack of outrage.