HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) - Police in Huntington will begin using an electronic billboard to display the faces of people convicted of soliciting prostitutes.
The Herald-Dispatch reports Police Chief Joe Ciccarelli says he hopes the billboard helps in the battle against prostitution. Ciccarelli says research suggests publicly outing those who solicit prostitution instead of the prostitutes themselves is an effective tool in addressing the prostitution issue.
The billboard posted a warning Thursday night reading, "Pick up a prostitute, your photo will go here."
Ciccarelli says the sign should begin posting offender photos at random Sunday or Monday pending legal processing.
He says the sign is designed to deter additional crimes committed by prostitutes against customers, such as robbing or assaulting people.