Prostitution Penalties in Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) -- Police and prosecutors in Rochester are getting tougher on the clients of prostitutes.Rochester Police Chief David Moore and District Attorney Michael Green say the stricter treatment comes as part of an effort to end prostitution in the city's Lyell Avenue area.

Men charged with patronizing a prostitute in Rochester have traditionally been allowed to plead guilty to disorderly conduct. But two men were recently found guilty of the misdemeanor charge of patronizing a prostitute. That makes them the first prostitution clients to be convicted at the misdemeanor level in Rochester in about 20 years. Green says the tougher approach against clients is needed.