Grande Prairie RCMP charge 35 people with soliciting for sex

Nov 22, 2017 | 12:08 PM

A four-day operation has resulted in 35 people’s arrests for solicitation offences.

Grande Prairie RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit, Community Policing and general duty members did so to “address community concerns pertaining to sex trade activities in the downtown area,” according to an RCMP release.

There were 34 men and one woman ranging in age from 21 to 74-years-old charged with obtaining sexual services for consideration.

“Workers in the sex trade industry represent a vulnerable sector of society. Many sex workers suffer from addiction, mental health issues, and were victimized prior to entering the sex trade and are exploited,” wrote Superintendent Don McKenna, Officer in Charge of Grande Prairie Detachment in a release.

Police will continue to work with partners such as the PACE Sexual Assault Centre that offers a First Time Offender Prostitution Awareness Program, to protect this vulnerable population.”

This enforcement initiative is in line with Grande Prairie Detachment’s Crime Reduction Strategy. Members of Grande Prairie RCMP are committed to identifying those who are causing the most harm in our community and to targeting their illegal activities.

Grande Prairie RCMP are requesting the public to report suspicious persons, vehicles, and activities in their neighbourhoods. Please contact the Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment at 780-830-5700 or should you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1.800.222.8477 (TIPS) or by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com.

by Jordan Parker