For two days, New Port Richey Police and undercover detectives with the sheriff's office worked a prostitution sting along U.S. 19.
Detectives say that stretch of highway, between New Port Richey and Hudson, has become a major problem over the past couple of years. They tell us the women that work it are out soliciting in broad daylight.
The highway is mostly commercial and business owners say they are fed up with the activity that is going on right in front of customers.
"I've even approached them and told them to get off my property," says Charles Grey, owner of F. I. Grey and Son, Inc. "And if they don't leave, I don't confront them anymore. I just come in and call the police."
Those calls aren't going ignored. Detectives say they are increasing up their efforts. Tuesday, their undercover sting led to the arrests of 10 women. Day two netted six alleged "John's."
"Beware. We're not going to stop," says Lt. Chuck Balderstone, with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. "The good citizens in these neighborhoods deserve better than that. And we are going to keep this effort."