Police crack down on prostitution in West Palm Beach: SaferWatch Tips Lead to Arrests
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Prostitution—it’s often called the world’s oldest profession, but in West Palm Beach, it’s an ongoing challenge that police are determined to tackle.
This past Friday, their efforts shifted to sex workers, resulting in the arrest of five women in a single day.
Officers with the West Palm Beach Police Department (WPBPD) went undercover, posing as potential customers in known hotspots across the city.
By the end of the day, five women were in custody—four of them repeat offenders now facing felony charges.
One of the arrests took place at the corner of 48th Street and Broadway in downtown West Palm Beach, where an undercover offer of $20 for sexual favors led to a woman’s arrest.
“This is ongoing enforcement,” said West Palm Beach Police Spokesperson Mike Jachles. “We’re dealing with the world’s oldest profession, so we need to be continually out there and have that presence, whether it’s the north end, the south end, downtown, whatever area is impacted.”
Friday’s operation in the north end follows recent stings targeting the so-called “johns” paying for sex.
Just weeks ago, 11 men were arrested for soliciting undercover officers across the north and south ends of the city.
In total, West Palm Beach police have made over 100 prostitution-related arrests this year.
“The success is measured not only by the arrests but the feedback that we get from the community, from our neighbors,” Jachles added.
That community feedback is proving to be a vital tool for law enforcement. Police say the SaferWatch app is helping residents report suspicious activities like sex work or open drug deals in real time.
“They’ll send in tips, and that goes directly, not only to our 911 dispatch center, but also to our strategic intelligence center,” Jachles explained. “That information is routed to the proper detectives and units for enforcement, so we can find these hotspots.”
While the SaferWatch app isn’t a replacement for 911, it allows residents to quickly share tips, photos, and videos with law enforcement for non-emergency situations.
With undercover stings and support from the community, West Palm Beach police say they’re committed to keeping the pressure on prostitution—and the crime that comes with it.
