‘Foolish’ to Spend Money on Condoms

At the July 30 West Hollywood City Council meeting, $44,439 was appropriated to provide condoms, lubricants and sex education to street prostitutes. To some, this may seem a noble effort and worthwhile expenditure; in reality, it is wasted money, and the encouragement and perpetuation of crime, which we are trying to eliminate from our city.

Residents have long pleaded with the City Council for foot patrols to stop the ever-spreading western movement of prostitution and hustling along Santa Monica Boulevard and met with stony silence of excuses of no budgeted funds from John Heilman and his cohorts on the council.

Who are these prostitutes and hustlers who are to receive our tax dollars?--innocent young boys, because of no money, forced into illicit acts against their own conscience? No, these are tough, street-smart thugs from other areas who are out to make a quick buck and consider West Hollywood an easy mark. It is pure foolishness to think that any money will change this group when that money should be spent to add foot patrols which have proven effective.

Remember the 1984 Olympics and how prostitutes were eliminated from Sunset Boulevard? It can and must be done here. What is needed, and not forthcoming, is a strong mandate from our City Council to the sheriff to rid our streets of this undesirable element. It is time to question the intelligence of Heilman, (Paul) Koretz and (Abbe) Land and for the citizens to make their demands known by writing letters ad speaking out for a safe and better city.

STAN LOTHRIDGE

West Hollywood