Ten arrested in San Bernardino prostitution sweep
SAN BERNARDINO – A three-phase citywide prostitution sweep on Friday netted 10 arrests by police, including one for pimping, according to a Monday release.
Undercover officers approached suspected prostitutes in the first phase of the operation, attempting to “obtain the elements of prostitution,” according to Lt. David Kiel, head of the Vice/Narcotics Unit.
The second phase included monitoring an internet and motel “in call” and “out call” program, said Kiel.
Undercover officers used internet websites to contact suspected prostitutes who advertise online. The officers contacted those suspected prostitutes and arranged to meet them in motel rooms (in call) or in a motel room rented by the undercover units (out call).
Upon meeting the suspected prostitutes in person, officers attempted “to establish the elements of prostitution,” which included anyone who agreed to solicit any act of prosititution. Once established, arrests were made, said police.
Three women were arrested in this phase, said Kiel.
The third phase was a night time “street program” in which undercover officers approached suspected prostitutes on the street and attempted to obtain the “elements of prostitution.”
Two women were arrested in this phase.
“Names of the arrested are not typically released by us,” said San Bernardino Police spokesman Lt. Paul Williams on Monday, “though it does happen now and then, usually after the cases have been filed and available through public records.”
Williams said there is not a set number of sweeps conducted by police. Usually, he said, “they are conducted based upon workload and (available) manpower.”
Read more:
San Bernardino Sun, Nine women arrested on prostitution charges
