Eight people were arrested in a Vice prostitution sting yesterday.
According to the Corpus Christi Police Department, seven women and one man were arrested Thursday on charges ranging from prostitution to criminal trespass, terroristic threats, possession of a controlled substance, and public lewdness in an anti-prostitution sting conducted by officers from the Narcotics and Vice Investigation Division.
Police say one of the women arrested was charged with Felony Prostitution, due to previous convictions. A 44-year-old woman and 35-year-old man were arrested for public lewdness after officers observed them engaged in sexual conduct in a public place.
The other women were arrested after they solicited an undercover CCPD Officer for sex acts in exchange for money, police said.
Police say the operation targeted several north and west side neighborhoods frequented by prostitutes.
NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by officers from CCPD’s Operations Division Crime Reduction Unit, as well as civilians with the Red Cord Initiative.
The Red Cord Initiative is a prostitution diversion program aimed to provide practical and emotional support for those involved in prostitution.
Two of the seven women arrested during Thursday’s operation agreed to participate and were accepted into the program.
CCPD says the Red Cord Initiative is successful due to the collaboration between the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation, social service organizations, the Nueces County District Attorney Office, and local police.
The program affords those involved with sex work an opportunity to address the myriad of behavioral, social, and psychological problems they have faced throughout their lifetime. Since 2013, Red Cord has provided case management, health services, job training, substance abuse treatment, clothing, housing, counseling, and other social services needed to address the circumstances related to their involvement in prostitution.
Participants who successfully complete the program have their cases dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office.
Since its inception in 2013, 212 men and women have been arrested for prostitution during these operations, 107 have qualified for the program, 66 were accepted, and 19 have graduated from the program.
The Red Cord initiative receives no government funding and is supported entirely through donations.
To learn more, volunteer or donate, citizens can visit the Coastal Bend Wellness foundation at http://www.cbwellness.org.
