POLICE COMMISSION REJECTS PLAN TO AIR NAMES OF `JOHNS'.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

Citing legal and cost concerns, the Los Angeles Police Commission on Tuesday rejected broadcasting the names and photographs of individuals arrested for soliciting prostitutes, but ordered a study of alternatives including the impounding of cars from so-called ``johns.''

Commissioners cited an opinion by the City Attorney's Office that said the city may not legally be able to publish booking photographs or street addresses of arrestees and without that distinguishing information the city could face liability for misidentifying people with common names.

``I'm fundamentally opposed to releasing information on these suspects,'' said Commissioner Art Mattox. ``This is not the same kind of crime as murder and it's prone to misidentification problems.''

The idea of embarrassing people who solicit prostitutes was appealing to some commissioners, but they said they would need more information to determine whether the program would be effective in reducing prostitution activity.

``Frankly, in my gut I would like us to be able to do something like that,'' said Commissioner T. Warren Jackson.

However, Assistant City Attorney Byron Boeckman told the panel that a court might rule that broadcasting or publishing the photographs and street addresses of arrestees may not be allowed.

``It is truly problematic whether we could, without a photo, publish the identification of these subjects,'' Boeckman said.

Police Chief Willie L. Williams also cited the $387,000 additional cost of processing added paperwork as a problem.

However, Jackson said a cost-benefit analysis might determine the expense is worth the effect of such an enforcement effort.

``What are the costs to the city, to these neighborhoods, of these kinds of crime?'' he asked.

In the end, the commission asked Williams to report back in 90 days on whether there are feasible alternatives, including the publication of names of individuals after they are convicted of solicitation and the seizure of their cars at time of arrest.

Councilman Hal Bernson, who proposed the program in response to problems on Van Nuys Boulevard, said he is willing to consider delaying identifying johns until they are convicted, but the commission asked for more information on the legal requirements of such a program.

The LAPD might be able to get around the legal problems of an identification program by simply seizing the cars of people arrested for soliciting prostitutes, according to Capt. Harlan Ward, commanding officer of the Administrative Vice Division.

``One of the things we are looking at is the impoundment of vehicles of customers as they drive up and make solicitation,'' Ward told the commission. ``I think that could be a very effective measure of reducing prostitution on the streets.''