Indoor prostitution illegal in RI

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) - A little over 24 hours after indoor prostitution is banned in Rhode Island, local police departments are preparing to enforce the new law.

Investigators say they can now pursue tips they've received about indoor prostitution, but weren't allowed to investigate.

Pawtucket Police Maj. Arthur Martins says he knows of at least four spas in the city that engaged in prostitution, "we'll look at those a little more closely to make sure they are complying with the law and not engaging those activities now."

Police say the tactics they've used outside for the past 30 years, will help them catch prostitutes, pimps and johns operating behind closed doors, in addition to landlords running brothels.

Maj. Martins adds, "for us, it would require undercover officers going in to determine whether or not illegal activity is in fact taking place. We were certainly hopeful that they would close this loophole and allow the police departments in the state to investigate the crimes more thoroughly."

The crime of indoor prostitution is now a misdemeanor, punishable with up to 6 months in prison.