SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department has been conducting prostitution stings in the Salt Lake area to disrupt “Johns’” activity.

With the new Justice Reform Initiative patronizing a prostitute is now a Class A misdemeanor. This means that if you are arrested for solicitation in Salt Lake City, you are going to be taken to jail and your car will be impounded. You will also face fines up to $2,500, and spend up to one year in jail.

The Organized Crime unit has been conducting undercover operations targeting both street prostitution and call girls. By the end of the week long operation there will be over 50 arrests for solicitation of prostitution. These arrests have crossed all socio-economic boundaries, and have included married men as well as fathers.

The overarching goal of this operation has been to deter men from soliciting prostitution, because it victimizes women and entraps them in a life of drugs and mental health issues. The focus is to target the people who are enabling the crime — the pimps and the customers. Criminalizing those who seek out prostitutes, rather than punishing the women being “pimped out”, is also a better way to identify and protect victims of human trafficking.

Media availability until 7:30 p.m. The above pictures are available for use.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Public Relations Unit
801.799.NEWS
801.799.6397

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