Colorado Springs police have new strategy to combat sex trafficking

Colorado Springs police have a new strategy to combat sex trafficking and it’s commonly known as “John shaming”.

Because solicitation for prostitution, or buying sex, is usually only a misdemeanor, police have decided to release names and photos of these offenders in order to help dissuade anyone else considering this crime.

“Sex trafficking is still very prevalent in the Springs and we need to do what we can to stop it,” Lt. Mark Comte said.

Comte is on the investigation team formed last January that specifically fights human trafficking.

He said it’s a crime that’s been evolving.

“It’s not like the ’70s or ’80s anymore where people are on the streets, it’s mostly online,” Comte said.

That’s why the police have decided to try this new approach of a public shaming of sorts.

Roger Patrizio with the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado said he thinks it’s an approach that will work.

“Many of these people that go out and buy sex are your average businessman, or they have a family, so they want to protect their anonymity. We think putting their names and pictures out there will be shameful to them and have a long-range effect on other users of prostitutes,” Patrizio said.

Police said Jeffrey Andre, Thomas Colby and Christian Bruce were all convicted of solicitation of prostitution.

Officers have also arrested nine pimps and 24 customers just since January. In addition, they’ve helped five children and 13 adults who were sold into the sex trade.