A New Spectator Sport

Starting in the summer of 1974, Fairbanksans developed a keen interest in what was to become the town&s;s newest spectator sport--watching prostitutes solicit on Second Avenue, The first challenge for the spectators was identifying the players. Prostitution had deep roots in the history of Fairbanks, from its beginnings as a mining town. While the attitude of most Fairbanksans toward the concept of prostitution was a mixture of curiousity, acceptance and humor, there was some concern about the by-products of prostitution. While the safety of the customer and his wallet were somewhat endangered as a by-product of prostitution, Fairbanksans were more concerned about public safety in a more general sense. High visibility of prostitution combined with overall increases in crime led some to speculate that organized crime was entering Fairbanks. City police in Fairbanks were the highest paid in the country, and an inexperienced state trooper starting to work in Fairbanks in October 1975 could earn $1,578 per month.