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Prostitutes Taking Over SE Austin Neighborhood

Updated: Wednesday, October 22 2014, 08:12 PM CDT

Susana Ledezma is ready for Halloween.  She's got the decorations up but sadly her kids won't be going trick-or-treating in the neighborhood.  Ledezma claims prostitutes are moving into the kid-friendly neighborhood, looking for work just feet from where the children play.

"The women walk right here," referenced Ledezma.

Neighbor Alex Rodriguez claims the prostitutes hang out on a picnic table located right outside her south Austin apartment.

"Girls walking by and getting picked up and they're like mom why did they get into a stranger's car," said Rodriguez.

The prostitution problem has gotten so bad Austin police set up a sting in the area.  According to an arrest warrant an undercover cop spotted a female -- identified as Jennifer Dean -- walking in the parking lot of an apartment.  He asked her how much it would be for sex and she reportedly told him it would be $25.

"It's bad for them around here.  People walking by with no shame," added Rodriguez.

In another case, officers arrested Jennifer Garcia after she allegedly made a deal with an undercover cop to have sex with him for $50.

They're off the streets for now but both mothers fear it's only a matter of time before the women return.  Court documents show Dean has been arrested and convicted of prostitution in Travis County at least three times since 1999.

By Alex Boyer

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