SEX, DRUG TRADE LAW JOKE: ADVOCATE

Hookers, Dealers Back In Biz Hours Later

While Justice Minster Gord Mackintosh is crediting new laws for shutting
down 13 sex houses and drug dens this year, the reality is most likely
opened somewhere else a day later, says an inner city advocate.

"They're operating again about 24 hours later," said Holly Bertram. "It's
the biggest joke in the world."

Mackintosh announced last Tuesday that homes, apartments, and rooming
houses throughout the city had been shut down by police under the Safer
Communities and Neighbourhoods Act. The legislation, which came into force
last February, allows Manitobans to file complaints with the director of
public safety about booze cans and homes suspected to be dens for drug use,
sniffing and prostitution.

But Bertram said the legislation doesn't do anything to solve the problem.
Instead, prostitution moves around the city hurting other neighbourhoods,
she said yesterday.

If politicians want to control prostitution and protect family
neighbourhoods, they should establish a red-light district, Bertram said.

"I want to challenge the city to make changes to zoning so red light hotels
can be built in commercial or industrial areas away from residential
areas," she said.

CONTROVERSIAL

Jenny Gerbasi, chairwoman of the city's protection committee, said there
would have to be a lot of public input before the city would endorse a
red-light district.

"It's a very controversial issue that there would have to be a lot of
public discussion on before anything can happen," said Gerbasi. "Certainly
there are very strong opinions on both sides of the issue."

Coun. Harry Lazarenko said an unofficial red light district already exists
in the city's downtown area, pointing to a zoning bylaw that allows for the
operation of licensed escort agencies and massage parlours in the city's
downtown area.

And he said the province has been sitting on a city committee report for
over a year now that recommends johns caught with underage hookers be
charged with sexual child abuse.