THIRTY-EIGHT ARRESTED IN DOWNTOWN SEX STING

An RCMP prostitution sting in downtown Maple Ridge recently led to the
arrest of 23 women and 15 men who were charged with communicating for
the purpose of prostitution.

The sting began in mid-September and targeted an area south of
Lougheed Highway between 222 and 225 Street.

Ridge Meadows RCMP's street enforcement unit teamed up with undercover
RCMP officers from E Division headquarters for the sting.

"This is the third or fourth time Ridge Meadows RCMP has tackled this
problem in the last two years," said superintendent Dave Walsh in a
news release.

"The police are very aware of the issues that the women face. The
majority of these women have drug addictions, and are not able to hold
a job and earn money. We need to intervene, and offer alternative
choices, to help these people make better decisions."

Walsh said police offered the women counselling through Alouette
Addictions and the men were referred to the John Howard Society's john
school, which educates men on the negative impact of the sex trade.