SAN ANTONIO -- Two major sting operations in two months have targeted prostitution on the South Side.
There have been dozens of arrests, but people living in the area are afraid things will go back to the way they were.
“They pick them up," said 63-year-old Alice Ortiz. "And then two or three days later, you see them walking around the streets anyways.”
After 15 years of watching prostitutes and clients who pick them up end up in area hotels, Ortiz is fed up.
Two sting operations conducted by law enforcement teams since November have led to the arrests of dozens of prostitutes and their 'Johns.' Ortiz calls it a cycle. The crime stops for a short time but then starts all over again. She wants her streets cleaned up for good. She says the children at a nearby school watching it all happen need to be protected.
“I think it would be better if they patrol," Ortiz argues. "Cause I know they patrol in the evening. But if they patrol more in the day, they would see that there are out here even in the day.”
Police said they do have more than 100 officers patrolling the South Side throughout the day and night.
