This is a more generic article from last month - jan 18 - that I had missed before: apparently the message is stay away from backspace in small towns.
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http://www.weau.com/content/news/Eau-Claire-sees-unusual-amount-of-arrests-for-soliciting-prostitution-469622663.html EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- The Eau Claire Police Department says this month it’s made more arrests for soliciting prostitution than usual.
The department said there have already been five arrests this month for soliciting prostitution.
The increase is drawing attention to why it's important for officers to stay diligent when investigating the crime especially when it comes to human trafficking.
Officer Bridget Coit said, “I think prostitution in our community is a silent hidden crime with most of it occurring online we don't hear about it a lot but we have people coming into our area to visit who they may think is a prostitute.”
Coit said with five arrests already this month prostitution is still a prevalent crime even in our area.
“I think five is definitely a higher number to start out with for the beginning of the year,” said Coit. “We look at it as a quality life issue for Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley.”
The police department says with many prostitution cases happening online the community may not be aware of the scope of the issue but Coit says officers have to stay diligent to protect a vulnerable population.
“We do get calls throughout the year of suspicious activity and our officers follow up on that. The angle they're taking and that we take in our investigations is finding whether or not it's involved with human trafficking and whether or not those patrons who have been arrested for prostitution have frequented other prostitutes.” Coit explained.
With anti-human trafficking organizations like Fierce Freedom saying it's one of the fastest-growing organized crimes the department says it's important for everyone to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
“I think all of our community residents need to be paying attention to that and that's why it's important to bring those issues to the forefront especially during the month of January to highlight human trafficking.
It impacts everyone, they affect the children of our community, and we want to protect that vulnerable population,” Coit added.
Investigators say prostitution and human trafficking are especially concerning during large events like the super bowl in Minnesota this year.
The department asks the community to be on the lookout during that time and to report any suspicious activity.
