Ordinances aimed to fight prostitution

WAUSAU — The city could be joining its neighbors in adopting new ordinances intended to make it easier for police to crack down on prostitution in the area.

During its meeting Monday, Wausau’s Public Health and Safety Committee will consider an ordinance that would require escorts and escort services to obtain licenses to operate within the city.

It’s the same ordinance the village of Weston and city of Schofield recently have passed that also is used by cities such as Appleton and Grand Chute.

Escort licensing

By licensing legal escorts, who accept money to accompany customers to parties or to perform stripteases, police hope to make it easier to catch those who illegally solicit prostitution. To be licensed, escorts would have to meet several requirements, including passing background checks, registering fingerprints and providing business plans.

Police say the ordinances require less evidence than state laws on prostitution.

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