The Burnaby RCMP announced Wednesday they have arrested 14 people recently as part of the third instalment of an ongoing crime reduction project targeting prostitution along the Kingsway corridor.
Police arrested four female sex trade workers and 10 johns this month. The police are recommending a total of 14 charges of communication for the purpose of prostitution.
The three-phase project started in June 2010 and was a response to reports from residents about suspicious activity. It involved targeted undercover enforcement of streetlevel sex trade workers and johns.
During the first phase of the project, in June 2010, 20 people, including 12 female sex trade workers and eight johns, were arrested, and police recommended a total of 20 charges of communication for the purpose of prostitution.
In the second phase of the project, in December 2010, 12 people, including two female sex trade workers and 10 johns, were arrested.
Supt Derren Lench, operations officer and assistant officer-in-charge of the Burnaby RCMP, said in a press release: "The previous two undercover operations were successful, and we immediately saw a drastic reduction in calls for service in relation to the sex trade in the area and the illicit activities associated to it. The exploitation of female sex trade workers has remained a priority for our detachment, and we will continue to monitor it as part of our ongoing crime reduction strategy."
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