I Thought Spam Was Illegal

Doesn't this border on extortion.........the message seems to say that not only will we curtail your right to freedom of association but we will also tell you family and friends so you better clean up your act.

Ottawa sex trade customers, you've got mail

Last Updated: Tuesday, October 2, 2007 | 4:28 PM ET

CBC News

Ottawa police are literally sending home the message that customers of the city's street-level sex trade aren't welcome in its neighbourhoods.

Starting next week, a special "community safety letter" will be mailed to the residence of any driver who is stopped by police while talking to prostitutes in certain Ottawa neighbourhoods, Ottawa police announced Tuesday.

"The letter is geared to inform the driver of the vehicle, the potential john, that their activity is not wanted in the concerned neighbourhood," said police Supt. Gilles Larochelle. "It's a letter that educates the individual."

The letter warns the driver that there is a "clear correlation" between street prostitution and drug use and that there are health concerns such as HIV and hepatitis. It also says community members are concerned about children finding used needles and condoms in playgrounds and about increased traffic.

Patrol officers have been told that if they witness a car that appears to be in a neighbourhood to solicit prostitutes, they should talk to and identify the driver. They should also make sure he was speaking with a prostitute, said Larochelle, who confirmed that speaking with a prostitute is not illegal. The letter would then be sent to the driver's home.

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