Law Enforcement Officials in Rochester Target "Johns" in Their Anti-Prostitution Campaign ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - Law enforcement officials in Rochester are stepping up their efforts to stop prostitution in the area of Lyell Avenue.

District Attorney Mike Green says the focus of anti-prostitution efforts has long been on the women--men were allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct. But Green says plea bargains will no longer be allowed for the customers. Green says his office will look at the cases through the eyes of area residents who are trying to raise families in the neighborhood.

Law enforcement officials changed their policy toward "johns" after meeting with neighborhood residents who complained about sexual activity in parks, yards, and parked cars.

Three men have been arrested for soliciting prostitutes. One of the men, Frank Vicaretti, became the first man in two decades convicted of patronizing a prostitute in the third degree.

The grassroots group, Lyell Avenue Area 230, sponsored the "Dear John" anti-prostitution campaign last year. Its website, lyell230-dot-org, will post the names and photos of the men convicted for soliciting prostitutes.

The hope is that public shame and the fear of a criminal record will have an impact on reducing prostitution activity. © Copyright 2009, WXXI