After the arrests of 50 people in Prairie Village on suspicion of prostitution last week, both police and the community's elected leaders aren't saying much about it.The women and men were issued citations to appear on municipal charges of prostitution or soliciting a prostitute.Diana Petersen said she's stunned that her neighborhood near 75th Street and Belinder Avenue was one of the targets for the operation."This is unbelievable for Prairie Village, and just a couple blocks over from me," she said. "You always think of it on the Missouri side (of the state line), but not in Prairie Village."The three-day operation resulted in 50 arrests of people accused of selling sex and customers.Police said Prairie Village doesn't have a prostitution problem. The city is just using proactive policing to prevent it, and has done similar stings before."I really have a hard time believing it," said resident Amber Sexton. "We have an image of not having very much crime, and being a safer place to live, but it kind of goes to show it can happen anywhere."In prior years, arrests made during these types of stings helped to build federal child trafficking cases.Police declined to discuss the case on camera. Prairie Village Councilwoman Laura Wassmer brought up the subject at Monday's city meeting, but opted not to speak with KMBC 9 News, saying it was "not newsworthy."

After the arrests of 50 people in Prairie Village on suspicion of prostitution last week, both police and the community's elected leaders aren't saying much about it.

The women and men were issued citations to appear on municipal charges of prostitution or soliciting a prostitute.


Diana Petersen said she's stunned that her neighborhood near 75th Street and Belinder Avenue was one of the targets for the operation.

"This is unbelievable for Prairie Village, and just a couple blocks over from me," she said. "You always think of it on the Missouri side (of the state line), but not in Prairie Village."

The three-day operation resulted in 50 arrests of people accused of selling sex and customers.

Police said Prairie Village doesn't have a prostitution problem. The city is just using proactive policing to prevent it, and has done similar stings before.

"I really have a hard time believing it," said resident Amber Sexton. "We have an image of not having very much crime, and being a safer place to live, but it kind of goes to show it can happen anywhere."

In prior years, arrests made during these types of stings helped to build federal child trafficking cases.

Police declined to discuss the case on camera. Prairie Village Councilwoman Laura Wassmer brought up the subject at Monday's city meeting, but opted not to speak with KMBC 9 News, saying it was "not newsworthy."