Cracking down on pimps and johns

It’s encouraging to see new laws being applied the way they were intended to be. On Tuesday, an Ewa Beach man, 28, was indicted on three charges of first-degree promotion of prostitution, the first time a suspected pimp has been charged with a tough Class A felony, which carries the possibility of up to 20 years in prison and up to $50,000 per count.

Back in 2011, the man had been arrested and charged as a pimp, a misdemeanor at the time. That case was dismissed after two key witnesses disappeared.

Innocent until proven guilty, of course. But if victims of human trafficking are encouraged to come forward, and pimps and johns are called to serious account for their roles, that’s a step in the right direction.

City looking for a tow

Lately, there’s been plenty of news to amuse parking scofflaws.

Yet again, the city will try to secure a contract to handle its police-initiated towing needs, which cover parking violations, accidents, stolen vehicles and the like. Leeward Auto, the current vendor, has struggled to meet the terms of its exclusive contract, so the city has gone back to the drawing board. A previous vendor, Stoneridge Recoveries, was the target of a criminal fraud investigation. No charges were filed.

What about wheel boots? Fughettaboutit. Senate Bill 1214, passed by the Legislature this year and sent to the governor, would outlaw the practice.