WICHITA, Kansas, Oct. 15, 2007 - Is it a reasonable service or a front for prostitution? Some say online escorts are taking the war on prostitution to the Internet.

South Broadway in Wichita has a long history and reputation for prostitution. But recently, Wichita police have been cracking down and say their tactics are working.

But prostitutes may be abandoning the street corners and moving to the World Wide Web. More than 70 Wichita women have profiles on one web site alone. The pages show pictures, advertise available services and even list rates and prices. One person's web site lists rates as high as $1,600. But that same site goes on to say "Any gratuity or financial exchange is solely for my time and social companionship". Another web site calls the charges "donations" rather than rates.

There are several Wichita laws pertaining to soliciting, but none specify online activity.

"Solicitation under the city code of Wichita requires that the solicitation be on the public streets of the city," Dan Monnat, legal analyst and defense attorney, said.

Monnat also says the services being offered aren't illegal. The law says prostitution only includes certain acts such as sexual intercourse, which aren't directly spelled out on the sites.

"It's no surprise that things are moving from local physical to the Internet," Jan Beemer, Operation SouthWind, said.

But Beemer says on a street corner or online, prostitution has a negative impact on quality of life and crime rates.

"We'll need more laws relating to the Internet to regulate them," Beemer said.