North Haven is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut on the outskirts of New Haven. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 24,253. Prostitution and activity have been well-documented in the city and surrounding communities. This activity and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates results in complaints to law enforcement agencies from residents and businesses. For example, in 2017 police executed a search and seizure warrant at a North Haven spa located at 565 Washington Avenue, resulting from a month long prostitution investigation. Furniture, equipment, electronic devices, and documents were all seized from the business. 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 demand reduction tactics have been employed in the city. For example, in December, 2019, North Haven police made two arrests after a police chase that began with a “paid sexual encounter.” Police had responded to an incident on Washington Avenue after a hotel staff member reported that an individual alerted them about being robbed of money, said a firearm was used, and left the hotel. Officers tried to stop a fleeing vehicle, but the driver sped onto the highway and eventually crashed and was later apprehended inside a nearby store.  The robbery victim eventually disclosed that the hotel meeting was for a paid sexual encounter. The woman was arrested and charged with prostitution and interfering with police. The sex buyer was as charged with promoting prostitution, reckless endangerment in the second degree, reckless driving, engaging in a pursuit, evading responsibility and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.