D.C. Declares a 'Prostitution Free Zone' for Inauguration

Image courtesy Jason Cragg

Reader Jason Cragg sent over this capture of a sign placed at 5th and Eye Streets NW, right in the middle of Inauguration Island. You're reading it right: portions of downtown have been declared a "Prostitution Free Zone" for the Inaugural celebration period. The best part? It has an expiration date, as though at all other times, hookers have free reign over downtown Washington -- hey, at least the MPD is honest.

Truth be told, this isn't the first time the MPD has declared a PFZ. You can read about how the law works here, but the basic idea is that it allows police officers to issue fines of $300 to a group of two or more persons found congregating in a public space or property within the PFZ for the purpose of engaging in prostitution or prostitution-related offenses. Still, these signs are sure to look mighty funny to most people walking through the area on their way to the Inauguration on Tuesday.