By Eric Kurhi
The Oakland Tribune
HAYWARD, Calif. — As part of a weeklong, nationwide sting operation targeting underage prostitution, officers in Hayward found two teenagers they believe were employed or “being groomed” as sex workers and arrested 15 adults, including three who face pimping charges.
“The main drive here is we’re trying to save these kids,” said Hayward police Sgt. Keith Stiver. “We certainly don’t want to punish the kids — we’re trying to rescue them from a horrible life.”
Throughout the Bay Area, 72 suspected pimps, prostitutes and their customers were arrested during the nationwide operation. Six underage victims were found: the two in Hayward, three in Oakland and one in San Francisco.
Alameda County investigators arrested eight people in unincorporated areas, most of whom are believed to be johns.
Hayward police focused their attention on Internet ads.
“Craigslist is down, but other websites are filling the gap,” Stiver said. “There are a plethora of sites out there and none of them are immune (from prostitution ads).”
Stiver said investigators targeted ads that featured models who appeared to be underage.
“They don’t come out and say, ‘Hi, I’m a juvenile,’” Stiver said. “Usually the ad will claim they are 18.”
Stiver said the next step is getting victimized young females support and information to help them get out of prostitution.
“We need to help them understand the cycle of violence they are involved in, and the support to break away,” he said. “It can be tough. Many have been groomed for a period of time not to trust law enforcement, not to trust anyone but their pimp.”
Eleven states took part in the operation and 661 arrests were made nationwide, according to the FBI.
Copyright 2010 Contra Costa Newspapers