DALLAS — Dallas Police say they've launched operations against prostitution. It’s a problem the community has asked the department to help them with.
Brandie Cox owns a veterinarian business off Harry Hines in Northwest Dallas.
”It’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it never stops and it’s constant,” said Cox.
She says prostitutes are flooding the neighborhood. She shared some videos with WFAA showing alleged prostitutes in her parking lot, at times, wearing very little clothing.
”It’s embarrassing as a business owner, and it’s a safety issue for us but we are also concerned about these girls. They are getting younger and younger, and there is a lot of violence towards them as well,” said Cox.
She says business owners have attempted to get rid of the prostitutes on their own, but that has proven dangerous.
”We had a business owner last May have a gun put in his face when he asked two prostitutes to get off his property. The 'pimp' came by 10 minutes later and threatened his life with a gun,” said Cox.
Dallas Police say they've heard the complaints from the community. So, the vice unit began operations this week.
”We understand it’s an issue and so we wanted to attack in a different way,” said Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia.
WFAA went along with the vice unit as undercover female officers posing as prostitutes took to the streets.
We watched as vehicle after vehicle after vehicle stopped and talked to the women.
As soon as the undercover officers gave the signal, Dallas police in marked squad units pulled the men over.
We watched as the men were cuffed, searched, and placed under arrest.
“Buyer beware, we want to make it as uncomfortable as possible as we can for individuals who go into that area and affect our businesses and our community in a way not positive for our city,” said Garcia.
Dallas police say during this operation, they arrested 30 men, confiscated four handguns, two vehicles, drugs and $70,000 in cash.
“We want to send a message to these individuals looking for this. Obviously, when people bring guns to the equation, they are not safe individuals to deal with. Obviously, we know that a lot of women are being trafficked and being victimized as well,” said Garcia.
Business owners welcomed the operation, saying it’s a start.
“We need our officers. We would be absolutely drowning in chaos when we don’t have them here, it’s very palpable,” said Cox.
Other headlines: