By CASEY NEILL
SEVEN men will face court following a prostitution sting in Dandenong on 14 November.
Sergeant Pat Green said they would answer solicitation charges in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court in February on the same day as another seven men, caught in an undercover operation in September.
“If you’re caught soliciting prostitutes you’ll be charged and thrown before a court,” he said.
“It’s not acceptable and the police aren’t tolerating it.
“Summonses will be delivered to home addresses.”
Sgt Green said police were concentrating resources on Scott Street and its surrounds.
“But we’re aware of people using social media to meet up and we’re aware that they’re moving away from the area predominantly being used previously,” he said.
“We’re following where they’re going and we know where they’re going.”
He said the zero tolerance approach would continue until the behaviour was gone.
“The police are working with other government agencies to look at the problem from a different angle, not only from enforcement,” he said.
“It’s just about putting our heads together and working out what capability each organisation has and how they can complement the others.”
Police made one arrest and interviewed three suspects in a prostitution blitz in Dandenong’s CBD in July.
This followed a Star News Group report that month that gutter crawlers propositioned a 19-year-old girl as she waited for a bus in Scott Street.
In February, Star reported that a 70-year-old woman was propositioned outside her Scott Street home and the issue was instilling “fear and discomfort”.
Sgt Green urged residents and shopkeepers to anonymously report prostitution to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or call him at Dandenong Police Station on 9767 7444.
