With the exploding number of online escort ads threatening to swamp vice squads, police here plan a massive crackdown against online prostitution, which they say is what's really going on behind those escort ads, KMBC-TV reported June 9.
But when the sting would go off isn't yet known. And as for why publicize a sting operation when such operations usually work best without publicity, police told reporters they hope it will deter some criminals while drawing more incoming information and convincing more law enforcement agencies to join up.
"In the past, prostitution stings were set up through print ads placed by police. But about a year ago, vice squads began to realize it would take more than print ads alone to help their cause," the station said. "Now, among those online ads that promise discreet companionship and sensual massage is an ad placed by the Kansas City police vice squad."
Police Sgt. Brad Dumit convinced area police agencies to start running a massive sting, and now thirty law enforcement agencies are getting ready to join in, KMBC said. "If we can pool our resources together ... then maybe we can make a bigger difference," he told reporters. And with police believing the easy money promise is tempting to teenagers in particular, with their easy computer access, they "have complete access to all this stuff, and it's right at their fingertips," Dumit added.
Police in the area believe crime from petty theft to homicide springs from prostitution, though they don't know how big a difference this sting would make, KMBC said. But Dumit told the station he's willing to take the chance.
