JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Twelve men were arrested on complaints of soliciting for prostitution during a sting operation over the weekend along Philips Highway, just south of Emerson Street, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
The men, who range in age from 18 to 54 years old, were arrested Saturday evening. Police said men were attempting to pay an undercover officer for sex.
A judge withheld adjudication for many of them, which means they will not be convicted, but will serve probation.
IMAGES: Police arrest 12 'Johns' in prostitution sting
The bust was part of the Sheriff's Office's efforts to crack down on prostitution in the city and cut down on crime.
"They can sort of shame them into doing that and warn other people about it, letting them know that police are out there and they are making arrests for people that do solicit for prostitution," said Gil Smith, News4Jax crime and safety analyst.
Smith said operations like these are about making a positive impact, preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and reducing drug activity. The sting itself is highly organized, Smith explained.
"They'll have their radio on and they can hear the conversation going on between the decoy prostitute and the men that are soliciting them and once certain language is transferred back and forth, then they will come in and make the arrest," Smith said.
While the area where the bust occurred is a hotbed for crime, Smith said, make no mistake -- prostitution is happening all over Jacksonville.
"People just go where they know the prostitutes are going to be. Prostitutes are sort of transient, they'll come in and out. They know which areas to go to, where they can pick people up very quickly. So it's just certain known areas where the prostitutes know where to go and the Johns know where to go, also," Smith said.
RELATED: Police make 7 arrests in prostitution sting
Last month, police said two were women were arrested off Philips Highway in a citywide prostitution sting. A total of seven women were arrested in the enforcement operation.