Police Department Will Actually Live-Tweet Prostitution Sting Next Week

A Maryland police department announced this week that they will live-tweet a prostitution sting, promising to provide the public with a glimpse into how officers are "battling the oldest profession."

"We won't tell you when or where, other than it's somewhere in the county sometime next week," announced in a blog post. "The PGPD's (Prince George Police Department) Vice Unit will conduct a prostitution sting that targets those soliciting prostitutes and we'll tweet it out as it happens."

Image source: Twitter

"From the ads to the arrests, we'll show you how the PGPD is battling the oldest profession. Suspect photos and information will be tweeted," the department added. "We're using this progressive, and what we believe unprecedented, social media tactic to warn any potential participants that this type of criminal behavior is not welcome in Prince George's County."

The announcement spurred immediate backlash on social media, with some accusing the police department of brutality against women. The PGPD responded to the criticism in another post.

"The announcement of the operation sparked intense discussion on social media, due in part, to the spread of misinformation," the department said. "Our Vice Unit will target those who choose to solicit a prostitute, not prostitutes themselves. The intent all along has been to put on notice and/or arrest the very people who exploit women and even young girls in our community."

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