Street-based sex workers and their customers were a major topic when more than 60 people living and running businesses in the Queenway area attended a town hall meeting with Prince George RCMP on Tuesday evening.
They formed a "common complaint" during the meeting, Prince George RCMP said in a press release.
"The unfortunate reality is that many of the women involved in the sex trade suffer from addictions and related health issues, live in poverty, are victims of violence, have no safe place to live, and have other factors that place them in the most vulnerable sector in our community," RCMP added.
While those who attended were "not cohesive" in terms of coming up with ways to help the women, "all agreed that the customers, those who prey upon and take advantage of them - referred to as 'Johns' - should be targeted in some fashion."
It's illegal to communicate for sexual services in a public place or motor vehicle and if a person is charged, his identity becomes a matter of public record. RCMP will be making "deliberate efforts" to arrest people seen doing so, police warned.
"Release conditions could also be unfavourable to some as it could compromise employment, personal reputation, and restrict freedoms," RCMP added.
