Aurora will crack down on prostitutes and their patrons

Some men may find it hard enough to look at themselves in the mirror the morning after hiring a prostitute.

But it's the fear of the entire community seeing that same morning-after mug that Aurora police hope will make men think twice before paying for sex.

The booking photos of men and women arrested for prostitution, soliciting a sexual act or similar crimes will now be released to both print and broadcast media, police announced Wednesday.

"The names of those arrested for prostitution-related offenses are already supplied to the media," police Chief Gregory Thomas said in a statement. "We're going to supplement names with pictures and hope the threat of increased public scrutiny will help alleviate this disgusting and dangerous behavior."

Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said officers again will stage reverse prostitution stings in coming weeks that feature a female undercover police officer posing as a prostitute.

"We'll start those in full force as soon as the weather warms up," he said. "Once the weather breaks is when we see our numbers increase dramatically."

During the past two years, police have used information gathered from citizen complaints and their own beat notes to arrest more than 100 "johns" in similar stings.

Police also warned that local "street-level prostitutes" frequently are drug addicts who carry diseases, including AIDS and hepatitis.

"Men have to realize that patronizing street-level prostitutes is akin to playing Russian roulette," Thomas said in his statement. "Not only do they run a high risk of contracting diseases themselves, but (they) can also pass them along to their wives or significant others."

Along with the potential health side effects, police said some men also end up victims of more serious crimes.

Ferrelli said the department has investigated cases where men were robbed of their wallets and personal items while being seduced. Others have complained of being beaten and robbed by pimps.

The city's prostitution ordinance also allows the city to tow and impound the vehicles used in relation to prostitution-related offenses. In order to retrieve the vehicle, offenders must pay a $500 fine in addition to towing and storage charges.