Several women arrested in one-hour prostitution sting
Benjamin Paulin, The Enterprise
Seven women were arrested in a prostitution sting in Brockton Thursday afternoon.
The sting initiative, dubbed "Operation Street Sweeper," was an effort to clean up North Main Street, Spring Street and other areas that are well-known in the city for prostitution, The Enterprise reported.
Arrested were Jodie Blocke, 46, Elizabeth Gagnon, 30, Emily Bennett, 41, Kimberly Silva, 29, Bianca McDonald, 27, Erika Comeau, 33, and Kim Headley, 43, all of Brockton.
Each of the women was charged with sexual conduct for a fee.
“We will arrest you if you try to engage in sex for money on our city streets,” said Brockton Police Chief John Crowley.
Members of the state police and the WEB Task Force participated in the undercover operation.
The arrests were made mid-afternoon within the span of an hour, from 1:18 p.m. to 2:24 p.m.
The locations of the arrests were 610 Main St.; Pleasant Street and Augusta Avenue; Prospect Street and Milton Street; North Cary Street and East Ashland Street; North Main Street and Upland Road; and Oak Street and Colantha Avenue.
"Operation Street Sweeper" comes as part of a larger effort by law enforcement agencies in the city to crack down on quality of life crimes, like low-level drug dealing and other crimes.
On June 23, state police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's office and Brockton police conducted undercover prostitution stings, executed a search warrant and made multiple car stops throughout the city Wednesday night.
In total, 10 people were either arrested or issued summonses to appear in court on various charges.