Locals Pack Town Hall For Update
Looking for a cheap thrill turned out to be a costly proposition for nine men who were busted by police during a prostitution sting operation on the Brooklyn/Queens border in Ridgewood that took place last Thursday night, Jan. 12, and continued into the following morning, it was reported.
Police sources said the undercover bust took place in the vicinity of Cypress Avenue and Starr Street and was conducted by 104th Precinct officers under the direction of Capt. Michael Cody, commanding officer, and Lt. James Lombardi, special operations coordinator.
Reportedly, the operation was one of several anti-prostitution initiatives which took place that evening at other known sex sale hot spots across Queens.
During the Ridgewood operation, authorities stated, the nine suspected “johns” allegedly drove to the location and solicited undercover police officers who posed as prostitutes.
Each of the men arrested during the operation were charged with a misdemeanor count of patronizing a prostitute. In addition to the arrests, police sources noted, a vehicle was seized from one of the suspects.
Over the last several years, local police have conducted a series of sting operations on the Brooklyn/Queens border after receiving complaints from residents at civic meetings that the location was a haven for illegal sex sales.
