OGDEN, Utah -
Police dubbed it "Operation Tricks for Treat." A crackdown on prostitution in downtown neighborhoods netted a dozen arrests over the weekend. "This is one of the most successful ones we've had, for the number of arrests we've made," said Ogden Police Lt. Scott Conley. Over the course of two nights, police tried to put a stop to sexual solicitation. The first night, police arrested only one streetwalker.
"They communicate to where they tell (other prostitutes) we're out there," Conley said in an interview Monday with Fox 13 News. "When we picked up the first one, we noticedt rhough cell phones the word went out. But it's a win-win situation to where they're not out on the street committing their illegal acts, but we did make one arrest that night."
The next night, officers reversed their sting and had two female police officers pose as prostitutes. Within the span of three-and-a-half hours, they made nearly a dozen arrests.
"We made 11 arrests that Friday night," Conley said.
Most of the men were cited and released. Two were booked into the Weber County Jail.
Ogden police have become more proactive in combatting crimes within a one-mile area of downtown which accounts for nearly 25 percent of the city's overall crime. The area from 20th to 30th Streets and from Washington to Harrison Boulevards has been heavily patrolled. Police said Monday it is showing signs of success.
Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey is scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday to announce a drop in the city's violent crime rate.
FOX 13's Ben Winslow reports.
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"They communicate to where they tell (other prostitutes) we're out there," Conley said in an interview Monday with Fox 13 News. "When we picked up the first one, we noticedt rhough cell phones the word went out. But it's a win-win situation to where they're not out on the street committing their illegal acts, but we did make one arrest that night."
The next night, officers reversed their sting and had two female police officers pose as prostitutes. Within the span of three-and-a-half hours, they made nearly a dozen arrests.
"We made 11 arrests that Friday night," Conley said.
Most of the men were cited and released. Two were booked into the Weber County Jail.
Ogden police have become more proactive in combatting crimes within a one-mile area of downtown which accounts for nearly 25 percent of the city's overall crime. The area from 20th to 30th Streets and from Washington to Harrison Boulevards has been heavily patrolled. Police said Monday it is showing signs of success.
Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey is scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday to announce a drop in the city's violent crime rate.
FOX 13's Ben Winslow reports.
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FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @fox13now
