PROTEST SET FOR TODAY OVER DRUGS, PROSTITUTES

'What Can I Do?' About Hookers, Hotelier Asks After 'Positive'
Meeting With Vanier Residents

Some Vanier residents are planning a public demonstration today to
call attention to what they say is a growing drug and prostitution
problem on a stretch of Montreal Road.

The group, which calls itself the Association of Community
Organizations for Reform Now, says the problem is centred in the area
of the Prestige Inn Hotel. After a "very, very positive meeting" with
the hotel owner, association spokesman Rod Leask said the group and
the hotel would work together to make the neighbourhood safer.

But Prestige Inn owner Adil Ebrahim said that, despite his
willingness to work with the group, he was unsure what additional
steps he could take to solve the problems.

"The only thing you can do is be more vigilant," he said, adding the
entire neighbourhood needs to be cleaned up.

Ottawa police Staff-Sgt. Paul Johnston acknowledged that "it's an
area where sex workers work." Police crime statistics for the last
year show a high incidence of calls to the area of Montreal Road near
the hotel; the area had double or triple the rate of calls of other
streets in the neighbourhood.

"We as a city are down there constantly," said Rideau-Vanier
Councillor Georges Bedard, who has campaigned for more police
measures against the drug trade in his ward.

Mr. Bedard said he was pleased the group sat down for talks with Mr.
Ebrahim yesterday, and that the group is trying to make the community safer.

"It's very encouraging. It's a very good thing when people meet to
talk," he said, "(Their concern) demonstrates the frustration with
things in the neighbourhood that residents feel."

Before he met with the group, Mr. Ebrahim said in an interview that
he does not rent rooms to known prostitutes, or by the hour, and that
he checks ID at the door.

He said he is in a difficult position. "I don't rent rooms to known
prostitutes, but if a John rents a room, what can I do?" said Mr.
Ebrahim, who leases the building that contains his hotel.

Mr. Ebrahim said he feels he cannot just ask women if they are
prostitutes when they rent a room, and cannot even deny them one even
if they are working in the sex trade.

"If a prostitute walks into Burger King and orders a hamburger beside
you, what are you going to do? Tell her, 'No, you can't have a
hamburger, you're a whore?'" he said. "No, you can't do that."