• Sex Trafficking Posters Go Up In Sheepshead


    by on Jul 15th, 2010

    I spotted this poster last week at the bus shelter on Emmons Avenue and East 26th Street, right in front of Applebee’s. The advertisement is a “call to end human trafficking.”

    The location is no coincidence. The hotels on Emmons Avenue have been known for years as hooker hotels. Whether that’s true or not, the stigma persists. And numerous young Eastern European women have been brought to the states in much the same way described on the poster, especially in the 1990s.

    But it’s not really something most of us think about in our neighborhood. Sheepshead Bay isn’t exactly the kind of place where you’re frequently accosted by hookers and pimps, or see the violence or skeeziness it draws. You don’t see the cars pulling up and the girls leaning in. It ain’t Times Square in the 70s.

    But it is a problem in our neighborhood. After all, it was just in May that vigilant internet folk kept a pair of Russian girls from being duped into a sex ring based out of a Sheepshead Bay-area nightclub. Every one of us should similarly be on guard.

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    • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

      In the 80s the girls had far more of a street presence. Especially along the perimeters of the hotels. I heard that some really awful things happened back then. Some of the girls were just doing it for kicks, and had no street sense at all.

    • http://twitter.com/nicktherat nick the rat

      im curious…. who is this ad helping? immigrant women who cant read english, or girls that are too scared to call the cops anyways. they should put up ads for masturbation instead.

      • Anonymous

        exactly, most women dragged into this mess dont know english. how does this ad help….

        • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

          That’s an basically untrue assumption. A lot of prostitutes are American born, of American born parents, and American born grandparents. The foreign born prostitute exists, yes, but most of then can read English. Few just came off the boat.

          • Anonymous

            although there may be plenty of american born prostitutes, but there are many undocumented cases of sexual slaves who dont speak english. sadly we dont know about these things because they are generally difficult to track. the reason why its so much more difficult to track is because these people fear that they will not be understood, will be deported or imprisoned.

            • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

              Nevertheless the signs serve a purpose. A lot of the street workers in that area do speak and read English. Many are lone wolves who are at risk because they are the only ones watching their backs.

            • Eitan

              Has anyone given thought to the idea that perhaps these signs might also speak to the potential johns? Some men might give it a second thought if they thought the woman they were going to see was being held and forced to “work” against her will. Before you all start up at once, I said some men.

            • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

              Not me. You know that! I will analyze, not criticize.Yes, some men will give that some consideration. But remember that the focus is in getting the women out of such situations. That’s why they are suggesting a 311 call.Keep in mind that the concern is not only that prostitution rings exist. In some cases it’s merely an abusive boyfriend. That is a very common scenario.

    • Jimmylaz

      A neighborhood filled with godless communists and their little girls acting like whores to older Russian men who can't speak a word of English. I'm trying to understand who is the invading terrorist presence, how did this happen and why doesn't anyone do anything. So 30,000 Russians a year is okay, no one objects, but the second a brown man comes to town it's an issue. The hypocrisy that is Sheepshead Bay. Non-English speaking no-value-having phony-Jewish-cossaks kicked out of Israel creating a culture of prostitutes, welfare abusers and exclusive absurd real estate at the expense of English speaking educated middle class who grew up here.

      • Barmaley75

        jlaz, you must be doing drugs or something. “Russians” or more correctly, immigrants from the former Soviet Union republics are among the most educated residents of Sheepshead Bay. Moreover, we speak good English, are solid middle class and are a good reason why Sheepshead Bay / Southern Brooklyn has moved up a lot in the last 20 years. As to the “English speaking educated middle class” – there was very little of that left in Sheepshead Bay in early 90′s when I came to this country.

      • Resident of Southern Brooklyn

        a large majority of “Russian” immigrants are college educated, work on Wall Street or in other professional jobs, are doctors, lawers, accountants, programmers or medical professionals.

      • http://twitter.com/dirtbombsfan1 dirtbombsfan1

        tl;dr, but I’m assuming this was a rant similar to that in The 25th Hour.

      • Lulzcopter

        are you trolling for your own personal amusement or just a major tool? because everything you have said in this post is hilarious. by the way brown man in town like white womenz so hide your daughters unless you like brown man too which i think you do.

      • Anonymous

        whatevs. keep on talking out of your ass, see how smart you look.

    • Eitan

      umm…what?

    • Netserv47

      Jimmylaz

      What a dumbass you are. Godless communist? There are no communists here, Russian-speaking population of Brooklyn is overwhelmingly Republican, unless you are saying the two ideologies are the same. As far as godless, if you choose to believe in some pie-in-the-sky bullshit stories your pedophile priest is preaching to you while fingering your ass thats your right. At least a third of the US population is either agnostic or atheist. God-fearing people flew plains in our WTC, I suspect their ideology was very similar to yours.
      The Russian-speaking population is also one of the most successful in the country, on average an immigrant from former Soviet Union is better educated than native population of the US and earns higher income.
      I probably pay more in taxes to this country and state than you earn altogether, so you, “middle class” idiot, are living at my expence.

    • nolastname

      I agree with 90% of what Jimmylaz has to say. Russia never was and never will be our allies. Most of the people that are like you Netserv47 have abused our system into a hole. Successful here due to government hand outs that people born in this country have to fight for. Did you FIGHT IN ANY WAR FOR THIS COUNTRY?
      You snot nose asshole. There are good hard working Russians here that care about the quality of life around them. Most are selfish and self centered not giving to anyone other than another Russian. Take, take, take. Give back shit.

    • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

      Not an effectively way of offsetting bigotry. It's hard to avoid the knee-flex reaction that you KNOW is going to outrage someone when you read something ignorant but it's necessary to consider the impact on other readers.

      Interesting fact, a lot of very successful people are immigrants or their offspring. Has been the case here for most of our history. Smart immigrants do not push their success in other people's faces. There have been times in our history where we have deported immigrants we thought were “Un-American” The Republicans are the ones most likely to get behind such a program today, so I would keep that in mind. It was liberal Democrats that were responsible for bringing large numbers of Russians here. But since they are not being supported by the Russian community fully it will not be in their interest to challenge any crazy attempt to create “reverse immigration”.

      If you think it can't happen here, you're wrong, it certainly can. The bigots unfortunately vote in large numbers. And carefully keep records of remarks such as yours.

    • Guest

      You are an idiot! Russians come here educate themselves and make better living than many other cultures. Many of us became lawyers, doctors, accountants and pharmacists. You must be extremely jealous of this type of success.

    • Marachi

      We work extremely hard for everything. We educate ourselves and become much more successful than people average American.

    • aherring

      Fascinating how a post about a poster meant to help WOMEN & GIRLS has turned into yet another macho melee (pun intended) — a bunch of men fighting about ideology, religion, taxes & real estate. Barely a word about the women, girls, children.

    • winson

      the emmons avenue hotel is a common place for hidden hookups. i almost got dragged into one two months ago.

    • Abu Aymen

      GO back to the issue itself,, guys,,,
      I do not think it is a good thing to put this ad here. It means that the area is full of this kind of ,wrong-act. unless reports are not 100% accurate
      all people are effected by this kind of act, women, kids, adults.
      It is sad to hear these things among such great neighborhood still happening..

      Please stick with the topic..

    • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

      They were, and I suspect they probably are still. This is an subculture that won't disappear. Since the potential for being a victim is there, these women need to know that they can get help. Many are cynical, but in a desperate situation might make a call, as long as they were assured that they would not be charged for their participation in events that precipitated their endangerment.

      Prostitution is often the lesser evil in the culture. There are greater ones, such as kidnapping and physical violence being committed against women often in fear of authority figures such as police. This is an attempt to to control the possibility of such terrible things by empowering these women through information.

    • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

      That can be a dangerous area to be walking in. Has been that way for a long time. A cop once told me years ago that women walking in the area alone are assumed to be hookers.

    • Jimmylaz

      To marachi, if working extremely hard means the highest rate of insurance fraud claims of any one ethnic group in America then yes, you're working very hard.

      To Netserv47, Ironically, your line of defense against being called a communist is to accuse me of bombing the WTC and arrogantly say I am alive at your expense. Then you say Americans are godless. Well my Russian compadre, last time I checked the Republicans advocated America as a Christian nation with a strong family values slant. That would put your athiest, wh*ring culture of prostitution and Russian isolationism on the wrong side buddy. Either you have a massive identity crisis or your identification with Republican is purely to appear on the right side.

      • Marachi

        Idiot, stop generalizing people by the stupid things you hear. Most of us including me went to college and have professional jobs. If these things would be spoken about blacks that would be called racist so how does this make any difference? Even though most of them sit on welfare. Talking about using system to their advantage… I think you are just jealous of many accomplishments that we made. Come to Emmons Ave and see who owns most of the businesses there so you can burst from envy.

        • Anonymous

          “stop generalizing people” she says then she says, “If these things would be spoken about blacks that would be called racist so how does this make any difference? Even though most of them sit on welfare.”

          So let me get this straight I should stop generalizing but you can. Also, you call African-Americans, “Blacks”? Is every Russian a KKK member here? Do you have the ability to look at what you are accusing me of of versus what you write? You can’t accuse someone of generalizing then generalize another race. Typical Russian brain — African-americans are second class as are Arabs and anyone other then them. Thanks for proving my point Marachi.

          “Come to Emmons Ave and see who owns most of the businesses there so you can burst from envy.”

          Yes, I am “bursting”, as you say, with envy from the pickled cabbage and zakuska shops. Really, are you serious? Show me one business on Emmons that has english speaking employees.

    • Netserv47

      jlaz
      Siberian wolf is your compadre. You have a massive writing ability crisis. I never identified myself as Republican, I simply pointed out that majority of russian-speaking new yorkers are Republican.

      My “atheist” culture is no more whoring than you sexually repressed, pseudo-conservative Christian culture. Your strong family values country has the highest number of rapes per capita than any other developed nation, in fact it's at the top of Interpol list of sexual assaults all the time for decades, though I haven't checked the last few years.
      I don't hear anyone here accusing african-american residents of murdering culture, though we all know the majority of murders in Brooklyn are done by black people.

      I don't know about insurance fraud, I am not in insurance business. I know I work hard, pay tax and obey the laws of my new country. And every asshole who start talking about me through m community is going to get just as much shit back from me.

      • Anonymous

        Thanks for proving my point. You clearly are a racist and anti-american.

        • Netserv47

          There is nothing in what I said above is either racist or anti-american. Unless you like the US rape statistics, where statisticaly an average woman will get secually assauted 2.5 times in her lifetime. God forbid some un-american commie bastard brings it up. he must hate our great country.

          Of all the posters here you are the only one who knows the locations of the whorehouses, so you must be interested and since you are a loser you probably can’t afford to go, so that’s why you have your panties in a bunch about “Russians”

          Or at some point in your miserable life some Russian woman told you to go F yourself. Am I gettiing close, you miserable loser?

          • Anonymous

            “we all know the majority of murders in Brooklyn are done by black people…in fact it’s [America is] at the top of Interpol list of sexual assaults all the time for decades, though I haven’t checked the last few years. ”

            That’s racist, number one, and attacking America domestic violence and abuse numbers to defend Russian sex slavery and young girls vodka-orgy’s is absolutely Anti-American. End of story. Proves my point for the third time.

            “at some point in your miserable life some Russian woman told you to go F yourself. Am I gettiing close, you miserable loser?”

            Dostoyevsky begins Notes from the Underground with the mantra of the Russian soul, ” I AM A SICK MAN…. I am a spiteful man”, which pretty much explains every Russian from here to St. Petersburg namely yourself who cannot understand the void you live in because you are the void. Good luck!

            • Netserv47

              I guess stating statistical facts is considered racist in your half-brain. The criminal stats have been kept in racial groups up until 2004, and the last available numbers showed the violent crimes were commited by whites/blacks approximately 50/50, while blacks are only about 18% of the population nationwide. There is again, nothing racist in that statement.
              As far as “defending Russian sex slavery”, there isn’t a sinlge word that I posted here that was in defense of it. In fact, you seem to be the only one here who know about these places, it’s your moral and legal obligation as a citizen to report the crimes being commited. Since you haven’t done so, you are the one who is Anti-American and are just a duche bag with free time, “young girls vodka-orgy’s” on your mind and an Internet connection.

    • Netserv47

      nolastname

      Is your measure of being an American based on fighting in a war? I'm sorry to tell you, that means about 95% of all citizens do not qualify and have to be deported.

      As far as amercan wars of the last 60 years ar all illegal occupation wars and are nothing more than a waste of human life and a monument to stupidity.

      But just so you know, I come from a military family. My family burned in tanks, sank in ships and died in concentration camps. And killed a ton of nazis in the process.

      Another piece of information, I never had any kind of government assistance, I started working night shift for $5.25/hr right off the plane and built a life and a career with my hard work and brains.

      And you soound like a loser who never accomplished anything in his life and can't figure out who to blame.

    • nolastname

      And who were they fighting for? The 95% you speak of were born here (citizens) and would be drafted if needed. If I believe you (which I don't) there are still 999.999 freeloaders. You would be one in a million.
      The proof is in the area open your eyes.
      There are Russia girls being pimped all over sheepshead bay. The escort service is alive and well. That is the issue. So while you gloat about your success what are you doing to help your comrades? What are you doing to improve your neighborhood?
      And I am content with what I have, It is mine no people were trampled to get it.
      I have everything I need guilt free.
      I blame the government for allowing your ass in at all.

      • levp

        @nolastname: Yes, let’s explore who was fighting against whom during 1939-1945. One would hope that a grade school history class would cover that, but I guess you have cut that one. So here is a brief reminder (for flunkees).
        One side was called “The Axis”, headed by Germany – and no, Soviet Union was not part of it (Japan was). The other side, “The Allies”, included Soviet Union, United States and Great Britain (and others like Australia). Of these, on the European front, Soviet Union was pretty much the only force against Germany from June 22, 1941 until June 6, 1944. But by June 1944 the Soviet Army was entering Poland, having liberated most of the Soviet territories. The price for this achievement was high – more than 10 million Soviet soldiers were killed, among them my Grandfather (October, 1941 at Poltava, Ukraine). So if not for my Grandfather and his comrades, you would now speak German (or Japanese), my friend – with Britain and France being useless, United States would not be able to counter Japan, Germany and Italy all at the same time, alone.
        Aside from this brief history lesson, I’d like to state for the record that my family and I do satisfy all your requirements: having good command of the English language; not receiving any government assistance and have not ever received one in the past; have not participated, influenced or profited in any way from the bank bailout; paying taxes (28% of our income – not bad for “Take, take, take. Give back shit”, no?); and last, but not least, not pimping any girls, Russian or otherwise, and have not ever done that. Have I missed something? Wait, almost forgot: I am not now, nor have I ever been, a member of the Communist Party.
        In conclusion, primarily for your WWII remark insulting the memory of my Grandfather, I have to ask: “Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?”

        • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

          Fact is, if either the US or the then USSR had not been in it the outcome would have been different. If we hadn’t been dealing with the Germans in the west, Hitler would have had more forces in the east.

          We fought a war on two fronts, the Pacific and Europe. After the German surrender the Russian military forces started helping us in the Pacific. Had we not used the atomic bomb we still would have won, but it would have been a costly land war for both countries.

          Don’t insult the memories of those who fought for the United States by overlooking the fact that each country’s contribution was the combination that won that war.

          • levp

            OK, you’re right: “What-If” logic can not be applied to history and I should have known better.

            For those interested, see:
            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbe_Day

            However, I stand by what I wrote in the tone and spirit of this particular conversation. It is not going to be any better or worse at this point, anyway.

            • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

              Well, the point is that is we all survived because we accomplished something together. It would do for all us to put things into perspective.

              You quoted Joe Welch’s famous remarks to Senator Joesph McCarthy. Another turning point in history. Many people were under a spell, those words broke it. An era of suspicion and hatred ended with those, it had gone too far.

              Misunderstanding and animosity have done little to better our world. Cooperation and mutual respect are a much quicker path to obtaining goals.

              Eventually a time will come when we shall be so world wise that the artificial barriers we have built will no longer be necessary. Perhaps such a time will be upon us sooner rather than later. In the state our world is in right now we need more than ever to break down our barriers and work together. Even in as small a sphere as the neighborhoods we live in.

            • levp

              All true, and nicely said as well.

              But I don’t enjoy the same level of optimism you do. And anyway, right now it seems to be the time when the one who screams the loudest is right (recent “town halls” on healthcare is a case in point).

        • Anonymous

          Any war the Soviet Union fought in was only to preserve their own ass. Not to help America.
          It just turned out to look that way.
          I hated history too much propaganda. Got it. Flunk This.

    • Gia

      A lot of things happen there which is scary. We just have to be careful . From my own personal experience some Russian men do not respect women. I do not blame the whole race just that individual. You just have to have enough sense to not walk around the neighborhood late at night.

    • http://www.nedberke.com Ned Berke

      Settle down, children. I'm not liking the tone of this conversation – from either side. It's not constructive or analytical. It's personal, yet based on broad assumptions. Knock it off and and please return to the topic at hand. And remember that if anyone takes the time to engage in conversation here, it's because they have a shared love and concern for this community. There's no need to alienate each other.

      • Anonymous

        Ned, my whole rant comes from a love for this neighborhood and a magic that is gone. I remember growing up and walking around with neighbors that looked out for each other, spoke or at least tried to say hello and generally had trust for one another. The Russians are completely foreign, believe in pimping out their daughters and have a very weak handle on morality. Most importantly, they do not trust Americans and treat us like the foreigners.

        With that, if you want constructive analysis there is a russian wh*rehouse on X and Ocean, another on Voorhies near where that mosque is going to be built (I suspect the Russians are leading the attack on the Mosque btw so they can have their whorehouse) and a few sprinkled down Coney across from Rasputins. You want a constructive lead, there’s three.

        And I’ll stop alienating them when they learn to speak the language and lose their racist xenophobia which I suspect will never happen.

        • Eitan

          When a Russian person becomes a citizen, as the majority of them are who live here, they most definitely are American. What is your definition of American, I would love to know. Whatever nationality you hail from, you can be sure that at some point when they arrived on these shores they were very much unwelcome and spoke broken english with a heavy accent.

          Also, the criminals who run these whorehouses are certainly not the fathers of those girls, I can promise you that. And by the way, how is it you know the location of all these places, anyway?

          And lastly, lets not forget, the Russians arn’t the only ones who operate whorehouses. Pick a country around the world and theres someone who was born there who’s doing the same exact thing.

          • Anonymous

            I love when a Russian is racist towards a group that lived here before them, makes me want to show them what intolerance means. I was born here, sorry I can’t relate to your foreign citizenship whining Mr. Eitani Bartokomous. Why don’t you tell me your shoe size first and I’ll give you my life story, unless you’re willing to pay for me then I’ll sit down with you and teach you what being American is. First lesson, once you become a citizen you lost being Russian (a) throw out your identity, take the attitude I have that Russians should go “eff” themselves, be a trailblazer amongst your kind (b) learn english (c) say hello to the people that lived here before you (d) learn respect toward all colors of skin (particularly the uzbeks and arabs you slaughtered in your countries) (e) most important lesson, young girls are not prostitutes no matter what you learned in the Ukraine. (f) if you see Russianess expressed in public throw a fit and marginalize the phony-jewish welfare sucking communists.

            To the people wondering how I know where the whorehouses are, it comes with knowing the turf. Us Avenue U boys know everything.

            • Eitan

              You know, there comes a point when talking to comeone stops being a discussion and becomes something else. This has become something else. I really hope you grow up one day.

            • Netserv47

              Do you really wan’t to be treated as part of “the group that lived here before them” the American way?

              Because that would mean wiping you the fuck off the face of earth and letting a few of your survivors live in a reservation.

              Neither me, my family or any of my friends have ever slaugtered and “uzbeks and arabs” or any other nationality. The soviet government did abuse some nationalities but I can’t speak for their crimes as I was not a part of the government.
              For your education, there are no native arabs anywhere in the former Soviet Union and Uzbeks never suffered any more than any other nationality living in that country.
              “most important lesson, young girls are not prostitutes no matter what you learned in the Ukraine.” Nobody ever said this except you numerous times, most of russian-speaking immigrants treat women with great respect. That’s why majority of the girls in the community prefer to date and marry within the community.

              You have an unhealthy attitude towards Russian-speaking americans, whatever your problem is, go F yourself, nobody gives a flying F–K about what you think.
              Is that American enough and in clear English that you would understand?

            • nolastname

              The attitude comes from years of experience asshole.
              You go FUCK yourself.
              There are many people who do give a flying f-ck.
              And he is right about the whore houses. A Mosque could cramp their style.
              People like myself who mention escort service and hookers do not have to be patrons (as you implied) to notice who and where they are.

            • Netserv47

              AWW, look at you, coming to your boyfriend’s defense like a dumbass in shining armor. It’s so sweet, makes me want to puke.

              I would not know how the proximity to a mosque would affect the prostitution industry. I will defer to the experts like yourself and the “years of experience” you are refering to.

        • Local Broker

          How old are you or when were you growing up around here?

        • Local Broker

          When Did you grow up around here or how old are you?

        • Cabbie

          First let me say that this forum has lost sight of the issue at hand. The victims are these young women and girls. With that being said….I’m glad I’m not the only Amerikanski that feels this way about the sovietz.

          I agree with most of jlaz’s views (don’t know about the pimpin’ daughter dynamic).
          I grew up in The Bay, and he’s right about the way people treated each other BEFORE the eastern bloc invasion. The magic IS gone! I tried my best to accept/welcome/be-friend these sovietz (my grandparents are from there) – but they’ll have NOTHING to do with me because I am just the Amerikanski to them, and they DO treat me like I”M the foreigner.

          Also, when you grew up here you just know things – like where the whore houses are – even if you don’t patronize them…you just know.

          By the way, I am a former A.T.B. – returned to the old ‘hood. I hope some of the magic will survive.

          • Netserv47

            All I hear is just a ton of whinig. WHAAAAAAA. The Majic is gone. WHAAAAAA. Has it ever occured to you that maybe you are not that interesting of a person that people don’t want to get to know you better? Or that recent immigrants may just have different priorities in life besides shooting the shit about baseball and weather with neighbors? I’ve been working day and night in the town for 15 years now. Yes I don’t talk to my neighbors, but I barely have time to talk to my friends and family. I don’t have to catch up with school friends on Facebook. I have family, work, repsponsibilities and obligations and they take all my time. Screw the neighbors, just keep the noise down after 10pm, learn to parallel-park and leave me alone.
            The fact is that most Russian-speaking people are productive, law-abiding members of american society. Some natives just have a problem competing against new-comers because they often lose.

            • nolastname

              A native should not have to compete against new-comers.
              There goes the greed and trampling I spoke of.

            • Netserv47

              You live a global economy, dummy. You always have to compete. There are only so many good jobs and good neighborhoods, those who are stronger and hungrier always win, happens to all communities all the time.

            • Andy

              don’t forget to mention those who are more talented, eager to learn and adapt to the changing environment.

          • Local Broker

            Maybe you will answer this when did you grow up around here or how old are you?

    • http://www.nedberke.com Ned Berke

      Fascinating observation.

    • http://www.nedberke.com Ned Berke

      I don't think I would describe this area as “full of this kind” of thing. I think that portion of the neighborhood may have higher numbers because the infrastructure is there to support it, but I don't think it's this ubiquitous crime that's defining of Sheepshead Bay. The poster is good, and necessary, because it's a crime that's so well-hidden many of us forget it's still a problem today.

    • aherring

      http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/opinion/15kri…

      Nicholas Kristof's column: 'Seduction, Slavery and Sex”

    • Resident of Southern Brooklyn

      nolastname, so that you know, all of us college graduates had to register with Selective Service before attending college, so that we all, Soviet-born (majority of us were not born in Russia but in Ukraine and other Soviet republics), will serve this country in time of a war just like anyone else.
      I don't know of any Russian girls being pimped; perhaps unlike you, I have no interest in escort services, etc. But just like Russian prostitutes, there are Irish, Italian, Spanish, Black, Carribean and other prostitutes.

      As far as immigration is concerned, once upon a time someone did not want your ancestors to be here either, whether you are of Irish, Italian, German or of Jewish extraction.

      • Anonymous

        I have no interest in the escort service it is obvious the prostitutes are working from a provided shelter. There is a lot of it in Sheepshead Bay along with the illegal rooms to rent. That is part of the reason why bed bugs are running rampant.
        Good you registered with the s.s. like you said you HAD to do it to get something from this country. Think of it as a guarantee that some day this country will get something back from you.
        I am not blind or ignorant as to how this area has been raped.
        The bank bail out is a result of people buying into homes they can’t afford to look good. I am paying for this with .01% interest. T2U.
        And yes, my family did come to this country 100 years ago. When they stepped off a boat they were not looking for every handout America offers. They looked for a job. No one in my family has ever taken a handout.
        I see the excess in which some people live to as greed.

    • Barmaley75

      Lisanne,
      Our community has both parties to thank, and especially President Ronald Reigan.
      Republican party that many “Russians” support is not a party of religious conservatives from Alabama, but of rather moderate Republicans from East Coast.

    • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

      I wish there still a strong moderate wing in the Republican party to be a forceful voice of reason there. But the “Rockefeller” wing started falling apart with the ascension of Ronald Reagan, who resented the power that the “Eastern establishment” had over the party. Currently, the fringe element of the party are capable of taking it even further to the right, and their agenda is a scary one. Moderate Republicans will not be part of the dialogue should they succeed in controlling the party.

    • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

      Yep, even the Narriockh that inhabited the area in the 1640s were thought to be interlopers by by the Massebackhun.

    • Netserv47

      There is a simple solution to illegal sex trafficking and illegal prostitution. As soon as prostitution is legalized, taxed, regulated and conforms to labor laws it will stop the demand for sex trafficking.

      It works really well in some counties in Nevada, there is no reason why it can't be legalized nationally. The women would not need to work on the street, they will make more money, have security guarding them, they will pay taxes and the business will be run by corporations, not pimps.

      Since we brought up Republicans, they will never vote for it, though it makes perfect sense.

    • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

      Legalized prostitution is worth great thought and consideration.

      A lot of prostitutes do make a lot of money, but don't hold on to it. Many are in it to pay for drug habits. Hence the problem of legalizing here. Do we look the other way when it is obvious that we are enabling behavior which is not only unhealthy, but still illegal? Or do we require drug testing and enrollment in substance abuse programs which often have a poor long term success rate?

      In the current environment it is so very problematic. But if it could be done it would accomplish far more good than ill.

    • Netserv47

      I am all for legalizing drugs as well. It's very simple to put all drug cartels, smugglers, gangs and dealers out of business. It would seriously cut down drug-related violent crime. It will save the coutry hundreds of billions $$$ but cutting the funding for “war on drugs”, lowering prison population and producing billions in tax revenue.
      The saved up money can be used to help the addicted.

    • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

      It's easier to decriminalize drug use than to make it legal. That would open up a Pandora's box of problems. In essence, the only way to accomplish that would be to eliminate prescription drugs altogether. That would lead us down a slippery slope of dangerous self-medicating.

    • PayPaul

      Are Russian men a race unto themselves Gia? Does that go the same for Russian women? LOL! I think your statement about disrespect of the opposite gender may apply to about somewhere close to half the race of both men and women.

    • Cabbie

      First let me say that this forum has lost sight of the issue at hand. The victims are these young women and girls. With that being said….I'm glad I'm not the only Amerikanski that feels this way about the sovietz.

      I agree with most of jlaz's views (don't know about the pimpin' daughter dynamic).
      I grew up in The Bay, and he's right about the way people treated each other BEFORE the eastern bloc invasion. The magic IS gone! I tried my best to accept/welcome/be-friend these sovietz (my grandparents are from there) – but they'll have NOTHING to do with me because I am just the Amerikanski to them, and they DO treat me like I”M the foreigner.

      Also, when you grew up here you just know things – like where the whore houses are – even if you don't patronize them…you just know.

      By the way, I am a former A.T.B. – returned to the old 'hood. I hope some of the magic will survive.

    • levp

      Cabbie to the Some Russian Lady: “Before you, sovietz, came here, people were treating each other nice, and now the magic is gone… With that being said, can I be your friend?”

      I wonder what she would say?..

    • http://www.nedberke.com Ned Berke

      I'm closing comments on this post. Many of you have strayed far from the topic and have started resorting to personal attacks. Please try not to let that happen again.

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