"Operation Keep It Clean" totals 16 arrests for prostitution

TAMPA - Tampa police were busy the past few nights as “Operation Keep It Clean” went into full effect.

The sting operation started Thursday night went through Friday evening.

Officers reported they arrested 16 women from different adult clubs in Tampa as part of a prostitution sting.

The objective of the sting was to sway local strip clubs from conducting prostitution and human trafficking of minors within their businesses.

This comes a week out from the RNC that kicks off next Sunday.

Checks like this are done frequently throughout the year, but detectives jump started the recent investigations after receiving word that prostitutes from outside of Tampa were planning on coming to the area to work in adult clubs for the RNC.

The a locations and number of arrests at each place are follows: Pink Pony, one arrest, Alibi Lounge, four arrests, Scarlett’s, three arrests, Skin Tampa, four arrests,  and Emperor’s Club, one arrest.

TPD officials say they plan to monitor the establishments throughout the convention for any signs of illegal activity.