Troy, NY

Categories:

Tactics Used
Auto Seizure ✓
Buyer Arrests ✓
Cameras ✓
Community Service ✓
Employment Loss ✓
Identity Disclosure ✓
IT Based Tactics ✓
John School ✓
Letters ✓
License Suspension ✓
Neighborhood Action ✓
Public Education ✓
Reverse Stings ✓
SOAP Orders ✓
Web Stings ✓

The city of Troy has a population of approximately 50,000 residents and is the county seat of Rensselaer County. Along with the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, it forms the Capital District region of upstate New York. Among the more serious crimes associated with the local commercial sex market is sex trafficking. In a “CBS6 Investigates” article, the Domestic Violence Services Program Director at Unity House in Troy stated: “There are traffickers in Troy. There are traffickers all over Troy, south Troy, Lansingburgh, downtown Troy, there are traffickers.” Troy Police Detective Sergeant Anthony Conyers added: “Specifically here in Troy, we have come across a few cases of human trafficking, it may not be like people think it is, but yeah, we’ve seen a few.”

Periodic reverse stings have been conducted in the city since at least 1997 and possibly before. In a 1999 reverse sting, the decoys used for the street operation were female New York State Troopers. The names, ages, and hometowns of arrestees were released to news outlets, and at least one vehicle was seized for potential forfeiture. Subsequent reverse stings in Troy have also involved collaborations with the New York State Police, and the identities and addresses of arrestees have been publicized. In August 2018, five men were arrested for patronizing a prostitute during a web-based prostitution sting in Troy. Undercover investigators utilized websites and social media platforms to arrange meetings within the town.

Key Partners

Key Sources

Reverse Stings:

Web-Based Reverse Stings, Identity Disclosure:

Auto Seizure:

  • “Troy Cops Pledge to Continue Car Seizure”, Albany Times Union, June 11 1999.
  • “Guilty Plea Puts Johns Back Behind the Wheel”, Albany Times Union, June 12 1999.
  • “Police Find Seizing Cars the Easiest Part”, Albany Times Union, June 13 1999.
  • “Seizure Laws Put Johns on Alert”, Albany Times Union, July 4 1999.
  • “Taking Johns’ Cars Not Easy”, Albany Times Union, February 19 2003.

Sex Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation in the Area:

Background on Prostitution in the Area:

Documented Violence Against Individuals Engaged in Prostitution in the Area:

  • “Troy Man Arrested in Hatchet Attack”, Albany Times Union, November 20 1990.
  • “Prostitute Slain in Troy’s Riverfront Park”, Albany Times Union, July 22 1993.
  • “Troy Cops Determined to Find Prostitute’s Killer”, Albany Times Union, July 23 1993.
  • “Police Study Rape, Assault Reports in Search for Prostitute’s Killer”, Albany Times Union, July 27 1993.
  • “Man Held in Slaying of Troy Prostitute”, Albany Times Union, August 3 1993.
  • “Women See Perils, But Can’t Vow to Stop”, Albany Times Union, September 19 1993.
  • “Victim Offered Sex for Drugs, Cop Testifies”, Albany Times Union, May 11 1995.
State New York
Type City
Population 50394
Location
Comments are closed.
ABOUT PRIVACY POLICY CONTACT US