Read the whole story at The Dallas Morning News…

Craigslist sex ads are a lot of territory for Dallas police to cover
By DIANE JENNINGS

Online ads for “erotic services” in Dallas pop up by the dozens each day on Craigslist, the hugely popular Internet classified site.

“Cute girl needs money,” says one, along with the picture of a half-naked blonde. “Perfect body,” boasts another, offering all-night specials.

The ads are part of a flourishing sex trade online, with Craigslist once again under scrutiny after a Boston man was charged last week with murdering a masseuse contacted through the site.

With more than 50 million users each month, Craigslist is one of the busiest Web sites in the world, offering ads for everything from carpools to computers.

The company’s chief has promised to review safety measures agreed to last year, but some law enforcement officials are calling for tougher steps.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal urged Craigslist last week to stop “pimping and prostitution in plain sight.” He asked the site to immediately drop photographs in the “erotic services” category, hire staffers to screen images and ads that violate the site’s terms of service, and fine those who violate those rules.

Jim Buckmaster, chief executive officer for Craigslist, promised to work with authorities.

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Dallas vice squad Lt. Christina Smith said officers monitor Internet sites such as Craigslist regularly and keep a sharp eye for “postings of people that appear to be young in age.”

She said Internet advertising makes enforcement of laws against the sex trade more difficult than in the past because the industry is no longer confined to the streets. There, she said, “you stop, you make the case, and you have the arrest.”

But with prostitutes on the Internet and customers cruising from their homes, officers must browse the sites, make a phone call to set up a “date,” wait for a call back, then go to the location – where the suspect may or may not show up.

“It definitely is more time-consuming,” she said.

Discerning who is looking for paid sex from who’s just looking for NSA (no strings attached) sex is more difficult.

The ads often use acronyms or code words. A “cuddy buddy” is a “friend with sexual benefits.” A reference to “150 roses” or “flowers” means $150 in exchange for sex.

Dallas police have learned to read between the lines. “I have a little cheat sheet of the terminology,” Smith said. “Oh, that’s what they’re talking about.”

Smith said that to avoid becoming a victim, users should be cautious and refrain from risky behavior.

Cautionary tales

Boston authorities last week charged Philip Markoff, a medical student, in the April 14 killing of Julissa Brisman. He is also charged in a robbery of another masseuse he allegedly met through Craigslist, and police are looking for more victims.

The high-profile case worries some local Craigslist users.

One Dallas resident whose husband has been advertising their “swinger” or “adult lifestyle” parties on Cragislist for a year said they’re going to drop their posting.

“I didn’t think about it until I saw it on TV,” she said, agreeing to talk if her name was not used.

“I’m going to have to be more careful. It’s scary.”