Camden Co. police go undercover for prostitution crackdown

CAMDEN, N.J. (WPVI) -- Police are looking to rid the city of Camden, long stained by crime and violence, of what they admittedly say is a nuisance crime.

Action News reporter Dann Cuellar went for a ride along Thursday with members of the Camden County Police Department for an inside look at a prostitution sting.

Before 6 p.m., police said the streets along the Broadway corridor were already buzzing with alleged Johns looking for sex.

Within seconds, unmarked police vehicles swooped in on a man accused of trying to hire an undercover female officer posing as a prostitute.

"We have had some professional people, they come right from the office. We have blue collar workers, we have, you know, locals," said Detective Tom Collins.

Police said the women working the streets aren't looking to fund a college education - they're trying to feed a heroin addiction.

"The only reason that they're out here is to get their next fix or the next high," said Collins.

Police said the officers that go undercover have to play a double role - full-time law enforcement, part-time actress.

Lt. Anthony Carmichael said the result is, "People go away and they're more cautious, and they're not as open."

"It's just an eyesore to see Broadway being so congested with as we say, 'Ladies of the Night,'" he added.

The prostitutes busted working the streets are being offered rehab services first or face prosecution, police said.

"We've had a couple that went to New York and got rehabilitated," said Carmichael. "Some won't take the services. So if hey don't take the services, we do what we have to do as far as legally."

Police have been carrying out the operations two to three times a month. They believe they are putting a significant dent in the problem sending the message to others it is not business as usual.