When we posted news of “Operation Happy Feet” and its prostitution-related details Friday night on lobservateur.com, the reaction was predictably extreme.

The results were similar on Facebook, where the story easily produced the greatest reach and was the most shared story of the last two months. Through the conversations, messages and texts, there was almost no end to the jokes of “happy endings” as many in the community exchanged details of local detectives’ charges that a professional LaPlace massage parlor was in fact the front for a prostitution ring.

Details of the arrest are covered on page 1 of today’s newspaper, but two points that stand out to us are Louisiana State Police’s involvement in the case, seeing if a connection exists with other illicit massage establishments in the state, and news that those who frequented the establishment looking for a good time, sometimes referred to as “johns,” were not the target of the investigation.

Anytime a community is associated with prostitution, it’s a smear the hardworking people and honest businesses have a hard time clearing.

The illegal operation is also a breeding ground for increased drug use and human trafficking.

To say prostitution is a victimless crime is an insult to the thousands upon thousands of women forced into this hopeless situation and exploited from a very young age, many losing their souls along the way.

If the allegations of this case prove to be true, those that patronized this location and participated in the exploitation of these women should feel the brunt of the criminal justice system and public embarrassment that comes with it.

It was their actions that put our most vulnerable women in harm’s way while sullying the reputation of our community.