Harry Hines Blvd is definitely synonymous with the world’s oldest profession, and that’s a reputation the Northwest Dallas street has maintained for decades.
However, area business owners say as of late, it’s only gotten worse.
Northwest Dallas Business Association leader Eric Lindberg told NBC DFW, “It’s a growing problem in this area.”
So why exactly has prostitution been on the rise?
Lindberg says, “Obviously weather, nicer weather, people want to be outside, no matter what type of activity it is. So it certainly increases the challenge for law enforcement here in Dallas, not having enough police officers to definitely have an impact. We can’t patrol enough.”
Dallas enacted a cruising ban with the hopes of reducing the prostitution traffic and helping capture criminals engaged in human trafficking of women, though police enforcement in the area hasn’t been enough.
Lindberg says, “We put up a sign, that says 'monitored.' Law enforcement's done a great job. But these people are smart. They move. They just go to another spot.”
Lindberg said families and visitors avoid Northwest Dallas hotels because of crime.
“The business goes out of the area, out into Frisco and Collin County. Dallas County loses out on the hotel revenue because families are afraid to stay down here,” he says. “Why are we combining these families and youth into the Red Light District of Dallas?”
Police spokesperson Kristin Lowman provided an email statement on the growing crime in the area:
"The Dallas Police Department recognizes the impact this behavior (prostitution) can have on a community.
To combat the issue, Northwest patrol and the Vice Unit have carried out weekly enforcement operations to target prostitution and other quality of life issues.
In addition to the enforcement, the Northwest command staff scheduled a meeting that took place in June, with several city departments in attendance to hear the concerns of several business owners.
The Vice Unit also held a meeting last week with a local business. The Vice Unit and Northwest patrol will continue to coordinate operations and schedule meetings with the community.
The Dallas Police Department takes a victim-centric approach when dealing with prostitution. Individuals contacted on the streets are offered services from several Non-Government Organizations (NGO) that partner with the Dallas Police Department. The goal is to get the individuals off the streets and away from prostitution. If the individual refuses the services offered, then enforcement is taken. The Dallas Police Department also has a full-time case worker that coordinates with the NGOs, helps refer the victim to services for follow-up, and assists Vice detectives with contacting the NGOs.
For any non-emergency Vice-related questions, we ask the public to call (214) 671-3230.
If you suspect anyone is a victim of Human Trafficking, please call 911 or the human trafficking hotline 1-888-373-7888."
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