1325 Massachusetts Ave. NW 202.903.

0112(V)
Suite 700 202.393.2241(F)
Washington, DC 20005 www.TransEquality.org





May 1, 2014

Chief of Police Mark A. Magaw
Prince Georges County Police Department
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Dear Chief Magaw,

On behalf of the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) a leading national voice for
transgender people and their loved ones I write to express deep concern and disappointment
about your Department's recently announced plan to tweet photos of suspects in an upcoming
prostitution sting. As advocates for a population that experiences high rates of discrimination,
poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system, we
strongly oppose any effort to impose harsh sanctions or public shaming on sex workers or their
clients.

NCTE was proud to work with the Prince George's Police Department earlier this year in helping
the U.S. Department of Justice develop its Transgender Law Enforcement Training. The
collaboration with USDOJ is the kind of forward-thinking effort the Department can justly be
proud of. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of this plan.

Public shaming of sex workers is a regressive tactic that doesn't decrease prostitution or address
any of the issues associated with it. Instead, it further endangers sex workers and creates
additional barriers to accessing any kind of social or family support or alternative employment.
Targeting sex workers' customers isn't any better it further instills fear and makes it harder for
sex workers to protect themselves by screening clients. In short, shaming not only doesn't work,
it's dangerous.

We urge your Department to abandon this ill-considered plan and to instead work with
community partners, including sex workers themselves, to develop meaningful community
responses that promote public safety and health.

Sincerely,





Mara Keisling
Executive Director

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