Cedar Rapids police make 25th prostitution arrest

With two months to go, Cedar Rapids police have already arrested twice as many people for prostitution compared to last year.

Charlotte A. Hurt, 46, of Belle Plaine, is the 25th person to be arrested for prostitution in 2010 after she flagged down a plain-clothed officer in the 300 block of 12th Street SE late Friday. She is accused of offering the officer oral sex for $20, according to a police report.

There were 12 prostitution arrests in Cedar Rapids in 2009, police said.

Many of the arrests have been in the southeast quadrant, between First and Third avenues from 12th Street to 14th Street.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said police are getting more tips from the public about prostitution. She said they are using more plain-clothed officers to look for all types of crime.

“We are deploying officers to look not only for prostitution, but for burglars, for drug activity and for other criminal acts,” Hamblin said. ”Without giving away our trade secrets, we are trying to utilize officers more efficiently and creatively.”

Hurt was transported to the Linn County Jail. She was not listed on the inmate roster Monday.