Neighbors fed up with suspected prostitution in Jacksonville's Brentwood area

An Action News Jax investigation into a local prostitution problem has a local council member promising to take action.

A Main Street business owner who wanted to remain anonymous said he watches about six to eight different women walk up and down the street per day.

Councilman Reggie Gaffney met Action News Jax at Main Street to see the problem himself.

"It's scary because I just tried to reach out to the young lady. She refused to talk to me and she's walking up and down the streets," said Gaffney.

While Gaffney was there talking to business owners, he said he overheard an alleged pimp tell a woman to walk the other part of the street.

"I was less than 25 feet from them. They looked at me not knowing who I was,” Gaffney said.

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Action News Jax was there as Gaffney reached for his phone to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

"It's a problem. For one second I was afraid, but I realized the grace of God is with me," Gaffney said.

About 15 minutes later, a lieutenant got to the scene.

"We are trying to address those issues. However, our manpower issues have restrained what we can do from the patrol aspect," Lt. Kelvin Anderson said.

Business owners said besides prostitution they also see drug exchanges. Now, they fear crime will escalate.

"I see it now. It's a problem," Gaffney said.

Anderson said he plans to add patrol to the area.

Cox Media Group