Coralville sees seven prostitution arrests over past two months

CORALVILLE, Iowa - Coralville Police Chief Barry Bedford doesn't believe that a sudden increase in prostitution arrests is a time to panic, rather a time to act.

“We can't stomp it out, but we can dislocate it,” said Bedford.  “(Prostitutes will) find out that Iowa City, Johnson County, and Coralville are not a place that is very friendly to them.”

Bedford said prostitution in the city is not uncommon because of its size and proximity to the Interstate. The recent busts have been in areas just off I-80 near First Avenue.

“Comfortable hotels and reasonably priced hotels that are right off I-80,” said Bedford. “People can slip in, do their business and slip out usually without much detection.”

Coralville Police, Iowa City Police, and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office are now paying closer attention to what is posted on online solicitation sites like Backpage.com, according to Bedford. Since mid-April, police have charged five women with prostitution after “online undercover stings.”

Bedford said he hopes awareness about the problem will continue to spread, so that more people can help detect and report prostitution.