Dallas police say a major anti-prostitution and anti-human trafficking operation conducted during the 2026 FIFA World Cup resulted in 335 arrests, including four law enforcement officers, and the rescue of eight suspected sex trafficking victims.
Authorities announced the results Monday during a news conference highlighting public safety efforts carried out throughout the international soccer tournament.
Operation Safe Streets Targeted Prostitution and Human Trafficking
According to the Dallas Police Department, Operation Safe Streets was conducted between May 20 and July 20 in partnership with federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations and the North Texas Trafficking Task Force.
The initiative included 13 enforcement operations across Dallas focused on reducing prostitution and disrupting sex trafficking by targeting those soliciting commercial sex.
The operation resulted in 335 arrests for solicitation of prostitution. Officials said the largest single enforcement effort led to 50 arrests in one day.
Investigators also rescued eight victims of sex trafficking, including some who were underage.
“One of the primary focuses of Operation Safe Streets was reducing the demand that fuels prostitution and human trafficking by targeting the buyers,” Dallas Police Major Aarin Harrell said during Monday’s briefing.
Four Law Enforcement Officers Arrested
Among those arrested were four law enforcement officers.
Dallas police identified one of those arrested as Senior Cpl. Zachary Helm, a Dallas police officer assigned to the department’s Special Investigations Division. Helm was arrested on a solicitation charge and has been placed on administrative leave.
Police said the other three officers worked for separate agencies, including one agency outside the United States.
Harrell said officers are expected to meet the highest standards of conduct.
“Our officers are held to the same, if not higher standard than the public we serve,” Harrell said, per Fox 4 KDFW. “When someone violates that trust, we take appropriate action to hold them accountable.”
Police Chief Says Harry Hines Was an Early Priority
Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said prostitution along Harry Hines Boulevard became one of his first priorities after taking over leadership of the department.
“We contacted our federal partners and we did something about it,” Comeaux said, Fox 4 reported. “We will continue to do something about it to improve the safety of this city.”
Comeaux added that Dallas police plan to continue working with law enforcement agencies across the region on future public safety initiatives.
Federal Officials Highlight Anti-Trafficking Efforts
Homeland Security Investigations Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard said operations targeting prostitution also help identify trafficking victims and disrupt criminal organizations.
“Human trafficking is a crime of exploitation,” Pickard said, per Fox 4. “It strips victims of their safety, of their freedom, and their dignity.”
He said enforcement efforts help investigators identify traffickers while connecting victims with safety, services and support.
World Cup Crime Operations Extended Beyond FIFA Venues
Dallas police also highlighted Operation Uptown Downtown, a separate initiative that focused on crime in the city’s entertainment and business districts during the World Cup.
Between June 1 and July 15, the operation resulted in:
- 218 criminal arrest charges in Deep Ellum
- 465 criminal arrest charges in the Central Business District
- 42 criminal arrest charges in Uptown
Sean Malecha, acting U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Texas, said the operation also led to the arrests of 35 violent fugitives.
Only 83 Incidents Directly Linked to FIFA Events
Despite the increased law enforcement presence, Dallas police said only 83 incident reports were directly related to FIFA events during the tournament.
Those incidents included:
- Seven public intoxication arrests
- Six assaults
- Four thefts
- Twenty-five miscellaneous reports in which no criminal offense ultimately occurred
Police said the World Cup safety strategy combined targeted enforcement, increased patrol visibility, crime reduction efforts, and coordination among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to help keep residents and visitors safe throughout the tournament.
Provided by Dallas Express
