Prostitution in Springfield: 'Just business as usual'
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Thirteen men arrested for soliciting prostitutes.
A Springfield business owner sentenced to prison for buying prostitutes as young as 14.
A pimp and six prostitutes under 18 arrested.
"It's unfortunately just business as usual," Sgt. Richard Charboneau told KVAL News.
Charboneau said that after this recent bust, where undercover female officers worked the streets, he is confident that on any given day you can find someone in Springfield shopping for sex.
"We had one out there two minutes and someone stopped to talk to her," he said of the recent bust. "Occasionally we had more than one person drive up, and they formed a line waiting to talk to them. That's how prevalent it can be in Springfield. They get in line."
The area most notorious for prostitutes: downtown along Main Street between 3rd and 7th street.
Business owners in the area told KVAL News prostitution happens even during the day. They said it sometimes scares off clients.
"We live in the 'hood," said Ruth Bellenger, owner of Ruthie B's Antiques and Tea Room."We have hookers, drug deals ..."
Ruthie 's antiques sits right on the corner known for prostitution. The owner says she routinely has to shoo them away.
"They work my corner," Bellenger said. "I've had to fight. It's my corner. I own it."
Police said the area, home to several bars and strip clubs, has gained a reputation.
But the recent busts -- and the publicity around them -- might make this area known for something else...
"We want people to hear from their friends," Charboneau said, "don't go down there because they might be cops."
