Davenport, FL
Categories:
Tactics Used |
|
---|---|
Auto Seizure | ✓ |
Buyer Arrests | ✓ |
Cameras | ✓ |
Community Service | ✓ |
Employment Loss | ✓ |
Identity Disclosure | ✓ |
IT Based Tactics | ✓ |
John School | ✓ |
Letters | ✓ |
License Suspension | ✓ |
Neighborhood Action | ✓ |
Public Education | ✓ |
Reverse Stings | ✓ |
SOAP Orders | ✓ |
Web Stings | ✓ |
Davenport is a town of approximately 11,000 residents located in Polk County, in central Florida. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. Prostitution activity has been well-documented in the city and surrounding communities, and in unincorporated areas of the county. This activity and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates results in complaints to law enforcement agencies from residents and businesses. Among the more serious crimes associated with the local commercial sex market is sex trafficking. Consumer level demand provides the revenue stream for all prostitution and sex trafficking, and has therefore been targeted by local law enforcement agencies as a strategy for prevention and response. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, with partners in nearby communities (e.g., Inwood), has conducted many prostitution stings in response to complaints from residents. Stings may involve undercover female officers, setting up an undercover house, posting online ads, or taking down businesses providing a front for prostitution. The names and other descriptors about the arrested are often released to the media.
In February, 2023, it was announced that the Davenport Police Department participated in a large scale sex trafficking operation led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office that resulted in 213 arrests. During “Operation Traffic Stop,” 24 potential human trafficking victims were identified, and 89 suspects were arrested for “soliciting a prostitute,” traveling to the undercover location to negotiate having sex in exchange for money.
Key Partners
- Davenport Police Department
- Polk County Sheriff’s Office
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Key Sources
Reverse Stings, Identity Disclosure:
- Theledger.com, February 18, 2009. 24 men arrested for soliciting prostitution.
- http://www.wftv.com/60-arrested-in-undercover-prostitution-bust
- http://www.winknews.com/Polk-deputies-round-up-89-in-online-sting
- http://www.topix.com/davenport-fl
- http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-16-strippers prostitution-charges-rnc-tampa-cops (2012)
- https://www.wqcs.org/operation-traffic-stop-detectives-join-other-agencies-in-undercover-human-trafficking-investigation (2023)
Sex Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation in the Area:
- “Six Arrested in Prostitution Investigation”, Lakeland Ledger, October 23 1979.
- “Polk Deputies Break Up Prostitution Ring Using Teenage Girls”, CBS/WTSP-TV 10, July 15 2011.
Background on Prostitution in the Area:
- “Residents Attend Haven Town Meeting”, Lakeland Ledger, November 18 1986.
- “Crime Climbs in Haven”, Lakeland Ledger, February 26 1997.
- “Feds Say Sex Slave Ring Has Polk Ties”, Lakeland Ledger, April 24 1998.
- “Complaints Against Winter Haven Officers Confirmed”, Lakeland Ledger, September 6 2002.
- “Prostitution Ring Broken Up; Has Polk Ties”, Lakeland Ledger, October 19 2005.
- “Hookers, Pimps and Gang Members Arrested in Polk Prostitution Sting”, CBS/WTSP-TV 10, April 19 2011.
- “Teens Held as Sex Slaves, Deputies Say”, Tampa Bay Times, July 14 2011.
- “80 Arrested in Polk Co. Online Prostitution Sting”, ABC/WFTV-TV 9, December 16 2013.
- “Pair Arrested for Allegedly Bringing 16-Year-Old to PCSO Prostitution Sting Involving 80 Suspects”, Lake Wales Daily Ridge, December 16 2013.
- “Sex Arrests: Former Orlando Cop, 97 Others Charged; Undercover Prostitution, Sex-Slavery Probe”, Orlando Sentinel, May 27 2014.
- “Weekend Prostitution Sting Ends with Arrest of 98”, Lakeland Ledger, May 27 2014.
- https://www.tampabay.com/polk-detectives-arrest-103-in-operation-targeting-online-ads-for-prostitution (2018)
- https://www.theledger.com/polk-prostitution-sting-nets-124-arrests-including-naked-man (2019)
- https://www.heraldtribune.com/polk-sheriff-grady-judd-154-arrested-in-prostitution-sting (2019)
- https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/florida-sheriffs-office-busts-154-in-prostitution-sting (2019)
State | Florida |
Type | City |
Population | 10953 |
Location |
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