HARTFORD -- Hartford police said they arrested 10 "Johns" after addressing complaints of prostitution in the area of Wethersfield Avenue.
Police said Wednesday, detectives, and officers from the Hartford Police Department's' Vice, Intelligence, and Narcotics Division, South Community Service Officers, Community Response Unit, and the Patrol Division conducted a joint, undercover street-level prostitution "John" operation.
According to police, the operation was initiated after several complaints of street-level prostitution happening on Wethersfield Avenue.
Police said that undercover officers posed as prostitutes and were placed in the area. When they were solicited for prostitution, the arrests were made.
Officials said prostitution along Wethersfield Avenue has been a historic issue and have conducted four undercover prostitution operations so far this year.
People who live here said they constantly see acts of prostitution.
“I see it on a daily basis, I always drive by here, I always see it, it doesn't matter the time of the hour, the time of day, they’re always around,” resident Stephanie Santos said.
Police also said they’ve assigned a two-man walk beat to the area hoping to build relationships with business owners and residents.
Hartford’s Interim Police Chief Jason Thody released a statement:
“The goal of this operation was to increase the quality of life in the Wethersfield Avenue area and send a message that this is not a place to engage in illicit activity. We are also continuing our efforts to provide services and safer options for those that have turned to prostitution as a means to survive.”
10 men from various towns were arrested:
Benjamin Blay (D.O.B. 9/28/65) of Manchester, CT
Charged: Patronizing Prostitution
Jose Fuentes (D.O.B. 5/1/80) of East Hartford, CT
Charged: Patronizing Prostitution
William Plaza (D.O.B. 10/19/79) of Hartford, CT
Charged: Patronizing Prostitution
Crispin Lorenzo (D.O.B. 1/7/72) of Hartford, CT
Charged: Patronizing Prostitution
Giovanny Jorrin (D.O.B. 10/5/96) of Hartford, CT
Charged: Patronizing Prostitution
Ivan Diaz (D.O.B. 7/28/82) of Enfield, CT
Charged: Patronizing Prostitution
Michael O'Conners (D.O.B. 5/18/96) of Hartford, CT
Charged: Patronizing Prostitution
Shawn Boulier (D.O.B. 3/26/81) of Hartford, CT
Charged: Patronizing Prostitution