HOUSTON – Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman announced the results of a recent undercover operation targeting prostitution solicitation around schools and daycare centers in Harris County.
At the start of the school year, Constable Herman said his office began receiving multiple complaints from female citizens about males attempting to solicit high school girls near one of the larger schools along the I-45 and FM 1960 corridor.
“We had male individuals trying to solicit high school girls,” Herman said, describing the reports of lewd conduct and harassment of young women walking home or in neighborhoods near schools.
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In response, Precinct 4 launched an undercover prostitution sting operation to target the demand side of prostitution.
Female undercover officers, supported by patrol and special operations units, were deployed in various locations, including school zones, daycare centers, and church areas.
Over two days, the operation resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals for soliciting undercover officers for sex. With a recent change in state law, solicitation of prostitution now carries felony charges instead of misdemeanors.
All 14 were charged with felony solicitation of prostitution. Many of the arrested individuals had extensive criminal histories, including open warrants and weapons violations.
“This is a target-rich environment,” Herman said, emphasizing that prostitution often breeds other crimes and poses a threat to community safety. He noted that several arrests happened near daycare centers as well as schools.
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Herman warned individuals considering solicitation, “You might be soliciting an undercover officer. We will arrest you. We won’t tolerate solicitation of prostitution around our schools and kids.”
He also outlined the connection between prostitution and human trafficking, highlighting that targeting the demand side helps prevent victims from being trapped in exploitation. Previous operations have rescued females trapped in such cycles.
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The operation ended recently, with continuous follow-up investigations and patrols ongoing in the same area.
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity online at the Precinct 4 website or by phone to help law enforcement respond quickly and keep communities safe.
“If you come out here and commit a crime, the high probability you’re going to get arrested and face consequences,” Constable Herman concluded. “We consider it an honor to keep Precinct 4 and North Harris County safe.”