CPD arrests seven for prostitution
The Columbia Police Department arrested seven women for prostitution on Wednesday at a hotel in the east part of Columbia, a CPD news release stated. The Boone County Sheriff's Department also assisted in the arrests.
The enforcement operation took place between approximately 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., the news release stated.
According to the news release, the hotel was chosen specifically because it is not known for prostitution or any type of illegal activity, allowing officers to contact the women in a neutral environment. Law enforcement was able to identify and arrest seven women for prostitution during the investigation, including one who also had a warrant for arrest on traffic charges, the news release stated.
CPD spokeswoman Jessie Haden said in the news release detectives will continue to investigate these offenses as a team with other agencies.
"Our officers and detectives continue to receive complaints about prostitution and they are responsive to those complaints," Haden said in the release. "Combining resources allows us to best address community concerns."
According to the news release, CPD has conducted three similar operations in the past on Nov. 14, 2006, May 21, 2008 and Jan. 8, 2009. Those operations resulted in 19 arrests. Thirteen of those arrests were for prostitution, four were for drug charges and two were warrant arrests, the news release stated.
