 |
| The so-called spas in Brooklyn that were targeted |
(Scroll down for video) Nineteen people were arrested and charged with prostitution related charges after they were caught promoting and organizing prostitution, according to police reports in New York.
Brooklyn Police said that they arrested nineteen people in a crackdown on prostitution in various spas and massage parlors in the Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights sections of Brooklyn, New York.
"In this case, there were nineteen massage parlors in a relatively small area with prostitution," New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said. "Now, we know that the people of Bay Ridge have back pain, but I think that it is safe to say that nineteen was a little suspicious,” he said.
The arrests came after a year of investigation, which began when neighbors complained of suspicious and harmful activity, according to the prosecutor's office.
"I hope these arrests will send a message not only to the communities of Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge, but for all the communities in Brooklyn. I share your concerns regarding these supposed spas and massage parlors, and we will not tolerate illicit operations that exploit women," Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said.
The bust was the culmination of a joint investigation by the Kings County District Attorney Special Investigations Unit and Brooklyn South NYPD Vice Unit. Using undercover detectives, surveillance and search, the operation revealed substantial evidence of prostitution and a series of violations related to labor and zoning laws.
The arrests include both workers and owners of 12 different establishments.Mobile video not loading? Click here to view