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