Demand Forum: Resources for the Prevention of Prostitution and Sex Trafficking

Demand Forum

Resources for the Prevention of Prostitution and Sex Trafficking

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  • January 26, 2012
  • demandforum_manage

Dickinson, TX

Categories:

Tactics Used

Reverse stings ✓
Shaming ✓
Auto seizure ✓
Community service ✓
Public education ✓
Neighborhood action ✓
SOAP orders ✓
John school ✓
Letters ✓
Cameras ✓
Web stings ✓
License suspension ✓

Dickinson is a small town in Galveston County, Texas, with a population of about 21,807. Prostitution activity have 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. For example, in 2013, sheriff’s deputies arrested two Dickinson men at a League City park on misdemeanor charges of prostitution and indecent exposure.

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 Dickinson Police Department started doing reverse stings in 2001.  It is a small agency, and conducts sting operations only as needed (determined in part by complaints from the community), and when assistance from other police departments agencies is available.  The reverse sting operations typically result in three to five arrests.  Dickinson also releases to the media both the names and photos of the johns arrested in these operations.  For example, in September, 2006, six men were arrested in a prostitution reverse sting in Dickinson, with officers from the Dickinson and Nassau Bay police departments.  Female Nassau Bay police officers posed as prostitutes in an area of north Dickinson notorious for prostitution activity.  Five men from Dickinson and one from Willis were arrested after they approached the undercover officers and requested sex in return for money. The suspects were charged with prostitution.

Dickinson police have also collaborated with other agencies to condct reverse stings in other parts of Galveston County.  For example, in 2010, Galveston police assisted in an operation in Galveston, organized by Galveston Police Department s Vice and Narcotics Division. The sting resulted in the arrest of 17 men accused of soliciting sex from an undercover police officer, who was posted to 35th Street and Seawall Boulevard to pose as a prostituted person. The men, ranging in age from 25 to 63, were arrested on misdemeanor charges of prostitution with bonds set at $5,000 each.

 

Key Partners

  • Dickinson Police Department
  • Nassau Bay Police Department
  • Galveston Police Department
    • Narcotics Unit

Key Sources

Reverse Stings, Shaming:

  • http://www.ci.dickinson.tx.us/police.htm
  • http://www.ci.dickinson.tx.us/web/police_press_releases/04-05-2005%20Prostitution%20Sting%20arrests (2005)
  • https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/baytown-news/article/Public-Safety-Roundup-Six-arrested (2006)
  • “14 Nabbed in Prostitution Sting,” Galveston County Daily News, April 6 2008.

Background on Local Prostitution:

  • Pimps, Prostitutes Invading Neighborhoods,” Galveston County Daily News, November 28 2002.
  • “A Shocking New Problem in Galveston?” Galveston County Daily News, January 18 2004.
  • “’Cool’ Cop Is Arrested,” Galveston County Daily News, September 14 2007.
  • “Ex-Cop Faces More Prostitution Charges,” Galveston County Daily News, September 20 2007.
  • “Drugs, Prostitution Sting Nets 13 Arrests,” Galveston County Daily News, October 17 2009.
  • https://www.galvnews.com/news/local_news/article (2013)
  • https://www.galvnews.com/news/local_news/article_2ab3608 (2013)
  • http://www.kxan.com/news/prostitution-sting-in-southest-texas-closes-6-massage-parlors (2016)
  • http://www.bayareahoustonmag.com/six-face-prostitution-charges-in-league-city/ (2016)

 

Documented Violence against Individuals Engaged in Prostitution in the Area:

  • “Witness’ Aid Asked to Help Solve Killing,” Houston Chronicle, July 18 1986.
  • “Probe in Killings of Two Leads to Kidnap Suspect,” Houston Chronicle, May 22 2001.
  • “Man Pleads Guilty to Murdering 2 Prostitutes,” Houston Chronicle, January 7 2004.
  • “Officials Say Failure to Pay Prostitute Played Part in Victim’s Death,” Houston Community Newspapers, April 25 2008.
  • “Admitted Prostitute Implicates Men in Slaying,” Galveston County Daily News, October 21 2009.
  • “Man Guilty of Murder in Torture Slaying,” Galveston County Daily News, October 27 2009.
  • “Second Man Charged in Slaying Pleads Guilty,” Galveston County Daily News, February 3 2010.

 

State Texas
Type City
Population 21807
Location
← Detroit, MI
Dodge County, MN →
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