RALEIGH — Raleigh police culminated a two-week undercover operation with the arrest of 55 people earlier this week on charges of soliciting crime against nature. Friday night they set up a checkpoint at Martin and Harrington Streets in the same warehouse district just west of downtown and made 13 more arrests on various charges by midnight.

The checkpoint went into action about 9 p.m., as both automobiles and pedestrians were checked. Police asked for proper identification and were looking for anything suspicious. Among Friday night's arrests were one for crack cocaine and another for DWI.

Some people who were stopped welcomed the increased police presence. New businesses are establishing themselves in the area, among them a few restaurants, and some bars catering to gay patrons.

"Normally, what goes on in these clubs is between two people," said police Capt. Walt Stewart of Special Operations. "But when it's in the parking lot or on the street, it becomes a problem.