Seattle's Aurora Avenue: A Haven for Open Prostitution and Harrowing Escapes

The recent abduction of a woman posing as an undercover police officer has drawn attention to the prostitution market along Seattle's Aurora Avenue. This incident is one of several cases in the past year where women engaged in prostitution along Aurora Avenue have had to make harrowing escapes or be rescued after being held against their will. The city has been clamping down on the issue, with police making regular arrests and issuing nuisance notices to motels known for prostitution and other crimes. However, the pandemic and a shortage of police officers have exacerbated the problem. The closure of motels to prostitution could make the situation even more dangerous for sex workers, who may resort to getting into clients' cars instead.