Incoming Seattle City Attorney Signals End to Enforcement of Anti-Prostitution Zones

Incoming Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans has confirmed her intention to halt the enforcement of “Stay Out of Area of Prostitution” (SOAP) orders, a policy recently implemented to curb sex trafficking and exploitation along Aurora Avenue North. Evans, who unseated incumbent Ann Davison in the November election, has described the orders as part of “racist policies” and indicated she will neither request new orders nor charge individuals for violating existing ones, according to statements made to KUOW.

The SOAP ordinance, passed by the Seattle City Council on September 17, 2024, in an 8-1 vote, was designed to target sex buyers and promoters rather than sex workers. Under the law, officers can arrest individuals suspected of engaging in the sex trade if a judge has previously ordered them to stay out of designated high-crime areas. Currently, there are 32 active SOAP orders and another 10 issued but not yet served, according to data from the City Attorney’s Office.

Proponents of the measure argue that the orders provide law enforcement with a necessary tool to disrupt trafficking operations without criminalizing victims. Sarah Ann Hamilton, survivor services manager at the advocacy organization The More We Love, stated in a council news release that the legislation “shifted focus away from criminalizing the exploited” and held traffickers accountable. The Seattle Police Human Trafficking Unit has emphasized that sexual exploitation in the corridor is rarely a victimless crime.

The debate over the policy comes amid ongoing reports of dangerous activity on Aurora Avenue North. In a recent incident cited in police reports, an undercover officer observed a 35-year-old man driving a Mercedes SUV aggressively chasing women through traffic. Police identified the driver as a suspected pimp and subsequently obtained a SOAP order against him from a municipal court judge. Under the current statute, violating this order could result in arrest, a fine, and up to one year in jail.

Legislative & Public Safety Outlook

The transition to the Evans administration suggests a potential conflict between the City Attorney’s prosecutorial discretion and the legislative intent of the Seattle City Council. By declining to enforce valid municipal court orders, the incoming administration may effectively nullify the SOAP ordinance, raising questions regarding alternative strategies for combating human trafficking in the region. Legal experts note that while prosecutors have broad discretion, a blanket refusal to enforce specific laws can lead to tension with the legislative branch and law enforcement agencies tasked with public safety. It is important to note that all individuals described in police reports or subject to court orders are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.