Fighting Prostitution

A common crime across the country is also plaguing Evansville. Prostitution is nothing new to the city, but keeping the streets clean is not as easy as just making an arrest. A somewhat graphic police report brought this story to our attention and we wanted to know exactly what it takes to arrest a prostitute. Police wouldnt talk about specific tactics - fearing that could hurt any future investigation into this problem - but they would talk about the effort it takes to keep the women off the streets. A long street full of low priced motels is a common place to find prostitutes in Evansville. The police department is keeping a closer eye on this area and all areas where prostitutes may be looking for work. "I know we are directing more of our efforts towards prostitutions in the last couple years." Lieutenat Wayne Wargel works with the vice intelligence unit that goes undercover to arrest the women. But no matter how many arrests they make, it doesnt appear to stop the problem. Many of the police officers dealing with prostitution make arrests over and over again because cleaning this problem from the streets isnt as simple as just making an arrest. Prostitution is only a minor crime. "Its tough because when its a misdemeanor arrest theyre right back to what theyre doing." It takes two misdemeanor convictions to make it a felony. By the third time around police have to use different techniques to make an arrest. "Its frustrating." In a police report of an arrest earlier this week an officer says he recognized a prostitute and when she in his car she started rubbing on him and putting her hands inside her pants. Lieutent Wargel wont comment on this specific incident, but says police officers dont do anything illegal to get an arrest. He says they have many ways to stop the problem. "Try to site them for something else they may be doing wrong, make their presnce known and scare away customers." But that only goes so far. "We can slow it down but I dont think we can eradicate it." Wargel says arresting prostitutes takes a lot of time and sometimes money for whats considered a minor crime. He says a reason theyre picking up their efforts is neighborhood associations are telling the department prostitution is a main concern. And if they get a call about a prostitute thats when theyre most likely to go after the women.