PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Nearly two dozen arrests for prostitution last week have sparked debate over law enforcement’s approach to combating human trafficking, with survivor advocates arguing the crackdown targets victims rather than traffickers.

The arrests took place during what’s called “Operation New Beginning” in an area of Phoenix known as “The Blade” near 27th Avenue between Bethany Home and Indian School roads, which has become notorious for prostitution over the years.

The multi-agency effort has seen nearly 70 people arrested for misdemeanor prostitution since August, including 22 last week.

“In this particular operation that the police did last week, I think the focus was on the workers. But this is not a one-and-done kind of operation,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchel

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