Earlier this year, Alyssa Ambrosino, 24, of Chambersburg, PA, was arrested in Monroe County on charges of prostitution. Ambrosino was arrested after a police investigation, which was conducted in response to an advertisement she placed online. In the ad, Ambrosino taunted the East Stroudsburg Police Department directly, saying it was “[a] police department that couldn’t find their own asses with both hands and a map.” She further warned, “[D]on’t bother even trying to call and set up a date. Save your gas money for doughnuts and leave me alone because flashing a badge isn’t going to get you a discount.”
At first glance, it would appear that the police targeted Ambrosino based on her snide remarks. However, Detective Kimberly Lippincott of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office informed the CSE Institute that while the police did notice Ambrosino’s jab, their policy is to investigate every online advertisement that they come across in their county. Irrespective of her taunting, it is likely that Ambrosino would have come across Lippincott and her colleagues eventually. Prior to arresting Amborsino, Detective Lippincott offered the young woman access to victim services. However, Amborisno declined the officer’s assistance.
The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office and the Stroud Area Regional Police have recently refocused their efforts from arresting prostituted persons to arresting traffickers. Law enforcement in Monroe County has also begun to focus some of their resources on reducing demand, which is evidenced by their increased number of arrests of those who purchase commercial sex.
Law enforcement officers are in a unique position to identify and assist victims of human trafficking. The CSE Institute applauds Monroe County on their new efforts to combat human trafficking, and we encourage other counties throughout Pennsylvania to follow in Monroe County’s footsteps.