Prairie Village Police make 52 arrests in prostitution sting

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. - The Prairie Village Police Department made 52 arrests in a three-night prostitution sting.

Captain Wes Lovett said the results of the early August operation were higher than any other sting in Prairie Village or other surrounding cities.

"We've done this sting operation annually and have never had this high number of arrests," Lovett said.

Michael Lemon said he recently moved to Prairie Village because of its reputation of being safe. He said the 52 arrests is surprising and alarming.

Sometimes other illegal activity comes with prostitution, Lemon said. 

Lovett said in addition to prostitution, arrests made were for drugs, weapons and human trafficking. He also said the investigation found several men who were posing as female prostitutes. 

Prairie Village resident Mary Zimmerman said she wasn't happy to hear the news but felt confident in the police department and the citizens of Prairie Village.

Lovett said the high number of arrests were not necessarily a result of an increase in prostitution, but a result of the police department better executing the sting operation. He said officers are making better use of technology by using websites to help track down prostitution activity.