That is the press release that Seattle mayor Mike McGinn released after meeting with representatives from Village Voice Media this past Friday. Mayor McGinn has been active recently in trying to get VVM to help stop the trafficking of children on backpage.com. The press release can also be viewed here. (PDF file)

In the press release, Mayor McGinn said that he would like VVM to implement a safeguard where ‘models’ that want to advertise on Backpage produce a photo ID in order to place an ad. VVM said that they would get back to him in 1-2 weeks.

I wish Mayor McGinn went a little further in his request to curb child prostitution on Backpage because I see problems with this approach. Someone who has made a career in trafficking women and children would probably have no problem in procuring fake IDs.

However, thinking back on it this may not be the worst idea. Before craigslist shut down adult/erotic services the states Attorneys General chipped away at craigslist until they finally shut down the section altogether. Unfortunately, I doubt VVM will be so agreeable.