SAN DIEGO -- Several residents in a Rancho Penasquitos neighborhood told 10News acts of prostitution are happening near their homes in the McGonigle Canyon area.

Independent photographer JC Playford has shot video footage of makeshift tents in the middle of the canyon, which is surrounded by several expensive homes. In one clip, a naked man is seen walking out of a tent.

"There were people walking their dogs, women walking their dogs by themselves less than 15 feet away where all this was happening," said Playford.

Playford said prostitutes have been seen walking into the woods, and he talked to one woman who told him she gets paid $30 for every client.

"Somebody would just pick her up and drop her off," said Playford.

Playford said he has seen evidence of sex and prostitution, including clothing and sex-related items.

"Hazmat needs to clean this canyon up," said Playford.

Playford was asked to shoot video by the Minutemen after neighbors complained that illegal immigrants were living in the canyon.

However, when police showed up they arrested Playford after he was accused of hitting a man apparently in the area to meet with a prostitute.

"How can you prove your story versus the police officers who say nothing is going on down there?" asked 10News' Charisse Yu.

"I have video," said Playford.

Several neighbors backed up Playford's story of possible prostitution in the canyon.

"Are we talking dozens or more like hundreds?" asked Yu.

Resident John Bautista said, "Dozens that equal around 200 people, in terms of traffic-wise, in a day."

Bautista said the only thing that separates his home from McGonigle Canyon is a gate.

"It's one of those things where it makes me not sleep well at night. I have to keep my one eye open to see ... OK, are there going to be some stabbings back there? Is there somebody who's going to get hurt? Is someone going to assault somebody?" said Bautista.

Police did not answer 10News' questions about what they are doing in response to the prostitution claims in the canyon.

The Minutemen said they are trying to expose the problem themselves because they claimed the police are not.