Editorial: Red-light district for Las Vegas?

Friday, Oct. 24, 2003 | 9:32 a.m.

Talk-radio personalities can be expected to choose subjects like prostitution for their morning shows. Drivers creeping along our clogged streets and highways need something to hold their interest, and talk-radio producers believe something risque, something taboo, something titillating fits their format perfectly. So it was no big surprise Wednesday morning when a talk-radio duo, Alan Stock and Heidi Harris, brought up the subject of legalizing prostitution in downtown Las Vegas. But it was somewhat surprising to learn of their guest, and the position he took on the subject.

The surprise, however, was only momentary. The guest was Oscar Goodman, mayor of Las Vegas and master of the spontaneous gaffe. We've had five years now to become acquainted with Goodman's penchant for engaging his mouth before his brain and he did not disappoint during his radio performance.

Goodman argued on the side of regulating and licensing prostitution, saying that it would help clean up downtown and also produce tax revenue for the city. He said a red-light district for downtown is an idea worth discussing. He pointed out that prostitution, despite its illegal status, flourishes anyway in downtown and that its current furtive nature presents a bad image. He said legalization would lead to getting some of the seedier places knocked down, which would make way for new, attractive buildings that would complement his vision for a renewed downtown.

This was classic Goodman, shooting from the hip. Prostitution in Clark County has been against state law for 32 years and it should remain against the law. The city's hopes for reducing crime, diversifying the economy and bolstering its image would be dashed if prostitution were legalized. Goodman said talk radio was a good place to begin the discussion. We're confident it won't expand to any serious forum.