EUREKA – In response to the ongoing problem of prostitutes blatantly working along 3rd Street west of the Humboldt County Library and other nearby locations, officers of the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing (POP) unit conducted an undercover operation focusing on the prostitution problem in the Old Town area of Eureka. This is the second operation of this type this month.
The operation consisted of an undercover officer, posing as a potential solicitor of prostitutes (a “john”), who would drive through a high prostitution area of town. When approached by a suspected prostitute, the undercover officer would record any solicitations made by suspected prostitute, and then allow her to enter the undercover vehicle. The prostitute would then be driven to a specific location where she would be arrested by waiting officers.
As a result of the efforts of this operation, eight (8) women were taken into custody and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of prostitution, along with other associated charges. All but 2 of the women were from the Humboldt County Area and their ages ranged from 22 to 53 years of age.
Earlier this month, an undercover operation was conducted, focusing on those utilizing the Internet to solicit and set up “meetings” for the purpose of prostitution. As a result of that operation, three (3) women were taken into custody. Their ages ranged from 19 to 33 years of age.
The Eureka Police Department recognizes that prostitution’s affects are far reaching to the community as a whole. This illegal activity spawns various types of crimes, encourages human trafficking, and increases the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
The Eureka Police Department also recognizes that it is not solely the prostitutes that bring this blight to our community, because just as the illegal sale of drugs comes down to supply and demand, so does prostitution. This being the case, the Eureka Police Department will not only target those who provide this illegal service, but also those who are willing to pay for it.
In the future, POP anticipates also releasing the names and pictures of any johns and prostitutes arrested for picking up or attempting to pick up prostitutes in this area. Names and photos will not be included with this release.
-from press release
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