September 14, 2002

Undercover Prostitution Sting

The title is not what it sounds like. Really. I stayed inside the undercover vehicle while detectives did the actual "work." Maybe I should back up.

It began when a detective told me they were going to conduct an undercover prostitution sting, since one hadn't been done in about two years. The last time they'd conducted one, they had arrested more than 20 "johns" - men who will pay money for favors from women standing on the street corner - in one day. So when they said I could come along, I naturally said yes.

Briefing was at 8:30 a.m., where they went over the plans, made sure microphones were on and surveillance equipment was working, and the two female detectives added the final touches to their outfits. Both wore plaid, button-down shirts and flip-flops. One smeared dirt on her jean shorts, and we laughed at the other one, who wore socks with her flip-flops.

The vehicles got into position around 9:30 a.m., and the first female detective stood on the street corner and waited. And waited some more. She was wired, so we could hear her muttering to us about how bored she was. At one point, she leaned against a light post and joked about doing a pole dance. I was in an undercover vehicle across the street, and the photographer, two detectives, and I were thoroughly amused. They finally decided to give that detective a break, and the other one took her place. It was getting closer to lunch time, and a man pulled up.

For $5, he could get a "favor." That's not a typo. This man only had a $20 bill and wanted to know if the "prostitute" could make change. We couldn't quite believe that one.

The sting continued, and detectives arrested a total of five men that day. It was definitely a unique experience, and I saw a side of life I'd never really thought about before. I also didn't know that for a mere $5, a woman could lose her self-respect.

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