HOOKERS, DRUG BATTLE HELP URGED

Clark Bryan, owner of the Aeolian Hall, appeals to police for action
in Old East.

The owner of an Old East business stepped up his campaign yesterday to
get police to do more to battle prostitution and drugs.

Clark Bryan, owner of the Aeolian Hall on Dundas Street, appealed to
the London police services board for more action to curb crime.

He got a sympathetic ear from the board and a little advice, but no
promises.

"I've had 3 1/2 years of frustration, particularly in the area of the
sex trade," said Bryan, who made a similar appeal to board of control
last November. "What I'd like to see happen is what I know will be
effective -- more foot patrols."

Bryan thanked police Chief Murray Faulkner for temporarily assigning
an officer to work in the area full-time.

But Bryan said he'd like to see 10 officers assigned to the area
permanently, which is estimated to cost more than $1 million a year.

"I don't think I should have to work too hard to convince you Old East
has some unique issues and challenges," Bryan said.

"We're a community that's revitalizing and it's happening very quickly
and this is a key time to increase (police) resources."

Bryan suggested police partner with the Salvation Army to implement a
john school, where men caught soliciting prostitutes would receive
counselling and pay fines. The money would go to programs to help the
prostitutes.

Faulkner and board chairperson Ab Chahbar both said they were
sympathetic, but said there are several areas of the city with similar
problems and the city, police and others are trying to develop
programs to improve the quality of life.

"We have to look at all areas of the city, not just Old East," said
Faulkner. "It's a big city issue that plagues all big cities, it's not
unique to London. And this problem will not be solved in 2008."

Chahbar said police, the board, Bryan and the city should lobby MPs
and MPPs for changes to the laws and programs to ease the problem.