Did fear doom Berk sexwork measure Q?

http://www.sfgate.com/election/2004/11/02/CA/c/i_measure/i_q_berkeley_prostitution/g_ballot_issue/c/alameda.shtml


November 2 Election Returns
 
Alameda County
Measure Q Berkeley -
Prostitution,
Lowest Priority Enforcem[ent]


     

No     23,223  63.9% 



Yes     13,096  36.1% 




[-- sfGate, updated 3 Nov. 2004, at 2:52 AM]

100% of precincts reporting
[ but not necessarily 100% of votes,
because of absentee and provisional ballots ]
.........



Comments by Carl Cole:

For Measure Q, 36% is an impressive "Yes" vote.

Some of the "No" voters reportedly sympathized with
Berkeley's local prostitutes,
at least somewhat.

But they may have feared that clients, prostitutes, pimps, etc.,
from elsewhere (especially Oakland and SF)
might shift activity to the City of Berkeley,
after it became California's ONLY
official "zone of tolerance" for sexwork.

"No" voters may have imagined a regional "Storyville" ( "zona rosa" );
serving most of northern California; and possibly attracting "sex tourists"
who would otherwise visit Nevada brothels.

Probably these fears were exaggerated?
...........................
###