Pubdate: Sun, 03 Dec 2006 Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL) Copyright: 2006 News-Journal Corporation Contact: http://www.news-journalonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/700 Author: Judith Carrig Note: Gives priority to local writers PROBLEM IS NO SECRET Anyone who has visited Daytona Beach or lives there is well aware of the little "Sin City" on Ridgewood Avenue. It's so blatantly obvious; the average citizen could make arrests, if allowed, all day and night, and it would take months to clean up that area of prostitution and drug activities. Because of the tourist events in Daytona Beach, there are people all over the world who know about the problem and wonder why Daytona Beach officials can't or won't eradicate such an embarrassment from the most beautiful beach city in the world. I have often wondered myself. Has this area become a tourist attraction, too? The News- Journal's series surely made it seem that way. The details about Tara and how she likes to get all dressed up to hit the streets left nothing for the imagination. The "camaraderie" between cops and prostitutes is absurd. The store owner, who complains about his day, makes money from these people. Then came the excuses, why this situation/problem can't be solved. It will never be solved until city officials, residents, police officers and citizens treat the problem for what it is -- illegal -- and make a strong, concerted effort to get rid of "Sin City" on Daytona Beach's main thoroughfare. Agencies and ministries have tried to help these prostitutes and drug dealers. They don't want the help badly enough to clean up their acts, and we don't want them in our city anymore. Get clean or get out, or Daytona Beach will never be a place that will attract families, as most citizens would like to see happen. As a former resident of Daytona Beach, I'm glad I don't have to drive through that area anymore and ask myself why nothing has been done to get rid of such an eyesore. Judith Carrig Palm Coast - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine