Police Fight Against Entrenched Prostitution

Midtown residents came out in force to a series of public safety meetings in the wake of a surge in criminal activity in recent weeks, but many residents say the area’s most chronic problem remains unaddressed.

Police tell 11 Alive News that Midtown’s prostitution industry has festered for 30 years, despite the department’s best efforts to stomp out the practice. Some residents have grown accustomed to legions of prostitutes patrolling the streets at night, but public safety activists and police are continually working to disrupt the illegal trade.

In 2011, for example, a six-day long undercover police operation in Midtown culminated in the arrests of 79 people, including 50 male prostitutes, 11 female prostitutes and 8 johns. Others were related for drug dealing. Atlanta Police Vice Unit commander Lt. Scott Kreher said in 2011 that many people involved in prostitution also turn to drugs and more violent crimes.

New Zone 5 commander Maj. Scott Kreher told 11 Alive News that his office is taking Midtown’s prostitution problem seriously, but knows police just can’t focus on arrests.

Kreher said police and community leaders need to tackle the underlying societal issues which draw men and women to prostitution in an effort to choke off the supply of new johns and prostitutes to the trade.