The sting, part 2
Regional police complete second prostitution operation
Three years after its first effort resulted in 27 men being charged, Cape Breton Regional Police have again conducted a sting operation in the downtown area of Sydney targeting males seeking sexual services.
The Cape Breton Post has learned through multiple sources that at least five men have been charged with communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services.
Court informations have yet to be filed as part of the investigation, so the identities of the accused are presently unknown. The accused could begin appearing in provincial court as early as Monday.
In September 2015, the police service announced that 27 men were charged after a 10-day sting operation during which female undercover officers posed as prostitutes.
The majority of the accused pleaded guilty and were issued fines of $500. Two were acquitted after a trial while charges against two others were dismissed.
The accused ranged in age from 26 to 81 and were from communities across the island.
Police launched their 2015 sting — dubbed John Be Gone — in response to complaints from downtown merchants and others concerning overt sexual activity occurring at all hours in the downtown.
Michelle Wilson, executive director of the 300-member strong Sydney Waterfront District Association, said the 2015 operation definitely had a positive effect in deterring such activity in the area.
However, she said, there are continued reports being received of similar activity in other areas of the downtown district.
Wilson said concerns were also being expressed by shoppers and other visitors to the downtown who were intimidated by such activity or even being propositioned themselves.
She said any move by police or others to curb such activity is welcomed by her association.
The 2015 operation involved female undercover officers posing as prostitutes while other officers watched from a distance. It is believed that during the most recent operation, those undercover officers were also wired to record any and all conversations between the officer and would-be customer.
At the time of the 2015 investigation, police said they worked with community partners including Mental Health and Addiction Services, noting many of the predominately female sellers of sex were doing so to feed an addiction habit.
The charges were laid in accordance with new laws under Bill C-36, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, which focuses on the activities of the buyers of sex rather than the sellers.
Those accused who challenged the charge by claiming their rights were violated by such a sting operation or the charge was the result of entrapment were found guilty.
“The police actions were a legitimate response to a need to protect society’s most marginalized and vulnerable members in focusing their attention on the men driving the demand,” said provincial court Judge Brian Williston, in dismissing such claims.