A prostitution crackdown; Bradenton and Manatee County law agencies target hookers and their customers.(B SECTION)

Byline: TOM KIM and ROBERT PATRICK tom.kim@heraldtribune.com

BRADENTON -- During the past few months, Nancy Shallo has seen more police walking outside her store on 14th Street West and less of the prostitutes who normally parade down the sidewalk.

Since new Bradenton Police Chief Michael Radzilowski took over the department in November, the change has been apparent, said Shallow, owner of S & R Uniforms.

"We're very happy with Chief (Radzilowski's) approach," she said.

The approach, lauded by store owners and lamented by prostitutes and their would-be customers, is Radzilowksi's decision to step up patrols on 14th Street West and other problem zones.

The crackdown by Bradenton police pushed many prostitutes just outside the city limits, where they work streets patrolled by the county Sheriff's Office, authorities said.

But both Radzilowski and Manatee County Sheriff Charlie Wells acknowledge the problems on 14th Street West, from 10th Avenue to the north to as far south as Sarasota, are so entrenched that there's no way either law enforcement agency can simply arrest away the problem.

"It hasn't been because of a lack of enforcement," Wells said of the area's trouble with drugs and hookers. "Enforcement …