We've been covering the prostitution-on-82nd issue for quite some time, and it hit city council today. On the agenda? The creation of the 82nd Avenue Prostitution Advisory Committee, to oversee "City anti-prostitution efforts on 82nd Ave and to advise the Police Bureau and City Council."

Commander Mike Crebs of the Portland Police East Precinct is testifying in favor of the committee and of the work they've been doing for the past few months to address prostitution along 82nd. "I've never been more excited about something," than this—getting the support to enhance 82nd livability and curb prostitution.

"This is a good step forward, and I wholly support it," Crebs says. Neighbors want something done, he points out.

Indeed, several residents also spoke in favor of the program. Mark White, chair of the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood association—which is around Powell and Division near 82nd—says his community is "very concerned about the impact prostitution has on the quality of life" for area residents.

Even Lila Lee, director of the Council for Prostitution Alternatives, testified in support of the work happening along 82nd. The women she works with need services, and that's part of the city's 82nd Avenue three-part package:

Funding of services and treatment programs for prostitutes;

Increasing anti-prostitution missions by the Portland Police Bureau;

Developing a Service Coordination Team with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Multnomah County Department of Community Justice, Multnomah County Sheriffs Office and Lifeworks Northwest to ensure that prostitutes, pimps and johns are given the proper services, sanctions and oversight necessary to deter and reduce their unlawful activities.

I have one quibble with this committee, though—and it was echoed by a few of the people testifying on the issue. The committee, which has to report back to the city in a year, has representatives from the neighborhoods, the cops, and the courts. But there's no one slated to represent the women on the street, or the service providers helping them out.

The committee "needs a more diverse group to be effective... I get scared listening to the people who are going to be on the board," says Chenis Remines. "I'm asking this as a person who lives in poverty, who knows many of the women... more outreach programs are needed."

Commissioner Dan Saltzman—the incoming police commissioner, and sponsor of this resolution—says the resolution's list of committee participants "is by no means meant to be limited. Other people who have an interest can certainly join in on the meetings."

"It would be useful to specify that a sex industry survivor participate," adds Lee, sitting alongside Remines as she testifies.

Commissioner Sam Adams asks Saltzman if he'd be open to a "friendly amendment" to specify social service and sex industry reps on the committee. "Sure," says Saltzman. Democracy is awesome.

The vote's after the cut.

Time to vote. Adams thanks Saltzman for okaying his amendment, which "provides the recognition and respect that is absolutely intended in this," Adams says. He also notes that the city needs to monitor where prostitution is pushed, if it leaves 82nd.

He also commends the neighborhood "for looking for a complete solution" that's not just about rearresting people or implementing prostitution-free zones. "Trying to address all the issues is the right way to go." He votes for it—as I'm sure the whole council will.

Commissioner Nick Fish says that before he was elected, he was led to believe that council meetings were "pitched battles" between the council and neighborhood groups. He's been happy to find that this isn't the case, and also commends the neighborhoods for working with police and the city. He also wants the city to keep an eye on pimps recruiting young women at public schools. Eep. He supports it the resolution.

Commissioner Randy Leonard notes that when he started on the council, prostitution-free zones were the norm, and all the council did was vote to renew them—though he'd vote against them, alone. He's glad the council has "progressed... to a much more thoughtful place." He opposes the zones because of civil rights concerns, and operational concerns. "It just didn't make sense to me to tell someone who was dealing drugs, using drugs or being a prostitute to go somewhere else." Moving them along wouldn't change their behavior. He also acknowledges how grateful he is for Mayor Tom Potter's "human approach" to issues like this. "There are a lot of good people who are stuck" in drugs and prostitution. He's pleased to vote aye.

Saltzman: "The purpose of this committee is to continue to engage" so "the issue doesn't get lost." Aye.

Potter: "Excellent testimony, and things worthy of consideration," he notes. He says prostitution is not an issue of consenting adults, but more akin to slavery. "This is about solving the problem... if we don't do something about it like this, it's going to be in other areas. We know we can push crime around, but if you really want to do something about crime, go to the source. How do we effectively help prostitutes get out." (As for the johns, he says, he wouldn't mind locking them up and tossing the key.) Potter's vote makes it 5-0.