Undercover officers posing as prostitutes arrested 13 males late last week for attempting to solicit sex on Madison’s south side.

South District police officers apprehended the men near the 2400 block of Catalpa Road and the 1100 block of Badger Road, according to an Madison Police Department incident report.

Thursday night’s sting was the latest of several such operations in response to ongoing complaints about prostitutes in the area.

Ald. Tim Bruer, District 14, described the sting as another component of the south side’s zero-tolerance policy on drugs, crime, and other illicit activities.

“The message is clear to the slumlord who puts profit ahead of community — the area is committed to abating those kinds of issues,” Bruer said.

Stephanie Bradley Wilson, a south district police lieutenant, said this particular operation focused on men.

According to Bradley Wilson, the four female undercover officers “made contact with men who appeared to be interested and engaged in conversation that indicated they were looking for sex, for sexual contact, and that they were willing to exchange that sexual contact for something of value.”

Bradley Wilson said it takes considerable police resources to conduct such operations and is thus a special project. Arrest officers, several undercover officers and observers are all required for a successful sting.

She was not surprised to catch 13 individuals in the short span between 9:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. The last such sting resulted in the apprehension of nine people.

“It’s not uncommon for people to exchange sex for drugs, and so anywhere you have drugs, whether it’s something as simple as marijuana or cocaine or heroine, you’re going to have some sort of prostitution going on, more than likely,” Bradley Wilson said.

The males, ranging in age from 16 to 55, were cited for loitering for purposes of soliciting prostitutes. City ordinance violations of this type are typically $676, but a 2 1/2 hour “john” school provides an alternative option for the offenders.

Individuals cited with such violations may voluntarily attend such “awareness” workshops to learn about the impact of prostitution on neighbors, as well as people involved in the trade.

“One of the things that people will say is that prostitution is a victimless crime, and that’s not the case,” Bradley Wilson. “There are impacts on the neighborhood as well as the people who are involved, and so that’s a message we try to get across.”

The police department conducts the program in conjunction with the city attorney’s office and Project Respect. Participants who avoid contact with prostitutes for a sufficient period following completion of the program have their fines dismissed.

The offenders will otherwise go to court like with any other ticket, or else pay the fine.