The Lubbock Police Department said they closely monitor Backpage and dozens of other websites that can be used for prostitution or sex trafficking.
On January 9th, Backpage shut down the adult advertising section of the website. Many thought the closure would help stop online sex crimes, but Public Information Officer Tiffany Pelt said the site is just one of many that criminals use.
“Another is going to pop up,” Pelt said.
In the last few years, Backpage has been cited several times as a tool for online sex crimes in several local court cases.
“It has been used in the past in Lubbock police department investigations that have resulted in charges involving prostitution, promotion of prostitution and other prostitution related offenses,” Pelt said.
Pelt said Lubbock is not unique, these types of crimes happen in cities all over the U.S. A lot of it has to do with the advancements in technology.
As the number of online sex crimes continues to increase, Pelt LPD will step up their efforts as well.
“As technology evolves,” Pelt said. “Our investigators are having to evolve with it and how these prostitution rings are operating.”
