Residents in downtown Wheeling say prostitution is continuous problem, and now police are working to put a stop to it.

Wheeling police conducted three prostitution stings and arrested more than a dozen people over the weekend.

A total of 13 people, five men and eight women, were arrested on charges related to soliciting in downtown Wheeling.

Wheeling police worked in conjunction with the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force and the Ohio County Sheriff's Department.

Wheeling Police Chief Kevin Gessler said the stings are the first of many, and officials want it known that prostitution will not be tolerated in the city.

Gessler said police are not only going after female prostitutes, but are also making the names and faces of male buyers public.

"I think this is a way where these men normally are embarrassed with their family or coworkers," Gessler said. "We will continue to do that. We'll provide names and photographs, because it's proper to let people out there know who's actually causing this."

Overall, Gessler said the number of prostitutes and buyers has declined from previous years.

Police are seeking the maximum penalty for those arrested over the weekend. The following are facing charges:

Mindy Edwards
Danielle Mielnicki
Leona Tanner
Tammy Green
Kathy Voltz
Christina Butler
Marlin Chapline
Robert Robertson
Eugina Furmanski
Norman Nolan
Lee Cook
Gwaine Folmar
Beth Ann Davis

Stay with NEWS9 for continuing coverage.

-Renee Cardelli and Allison Latos, NEWS9