Nineteen Arrested In Prostitution Sting

Nineteen people were arrested Wednesday in a prostitution sting, police said.

Pasadena Police Department officers stationed along East Colorado Boulevard conducted a prostitution sting between the hours of 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to a news release.

Members of the PPD’s Special Investigations Unit and Neighborhood Action Team posed as both prostitutes and customers. As a result, 18 men and 1 woman were arrested for prostitution or loitering with intent to commit prostitution.

“In response to resident complaints we are making every effort to abate the problem,” said Chief of Police Bernard Melekian. “It [prostitution] negatively impacts the quality of life in the area in the surrounding neighborhoods and the local businesses suffer negative economic impacts connected with prostitution. We intend to conduct these operations randomly and to send the message that if you are in this city to commit an act of prostitution, you will likely get caught and arrested.”

Prostitution and associated crimes are misdemeanors. The potential penalty is six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, and police seizure of any automobile used to commit an act of prostitution. In addition, those arrested for prostitution are tested for HIV and also must attend an AIDS awareness class.