Prostitution and child sex trafficking activity are well documented in Westminster, and police have actively investigated cases and conducted sting operations to apprehend those purchasing sex.  For example, in October 2017, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Advocacy and Investigation Center placed an undercover advertisement on Backpage.com.  The ad contained the phone number to a police cellphone.  Undercover detectives with the sheriff’s office received call from men who inquired about prices for different sex acts.  Arrangements were made to meet at a Westminster hotel, and when the men arrived and confirmed their intent to exchange money for sex, they were arrested. The identities of the arrested sex buyers were included in press releases.