Bogor uses pimp to net hookers

BOGOR (JP): The Bogor municipality has taken new steps to eradicate prostitution in the city by guaranteeing the freedom of a local pimp in exchange for information about prostitutes.

The initiative was made after the arrest in the early hours of Thursday of a 51-year-old panderer, identified only as Y, who was apprehended after officials posing as clients were allegedly offered the services of prostitutes over the telephone.

"We later raided her house and brought other call girls to the office. She said she's willing to give us some names as long as we give her a guarantee of her safety," said an official, who requested anonymity.

The woman eventually provided the officials with the names of alleged prostitutes and was released.

In the Thursday operation, 14 alleged prostitutes were detained. Many of them allegedly used local cafes as a venue to pick up customers.

"We've started to run our operation not only on the streets but also in hotels and cafes," said head of the local office of social and political affairs E. Rukanda.

The prostitutes were charged with regional decree No. 1/1990 on city order, tidiness and beauty.

The trial was swift and Judge Danday Wilarso sentenced the prostitutes to four days in jail. (24/edt)