Prostitution sweep nets 12 arrests in Centretown, Vanier

A two-day prostitution sweep by Ottawa Police Service in the city’s Centretown and Vanier neighbourhoods this weekend led to 12 arrests.

Police said seven women were charged Saturday and Sunday with a variety of offences, including prostitution, mischief, possession of drugs and breach offences.

Five men were also arrested, but only three were charged with a prostitution-related offence. The other two were to attend “john school,” a project designed to reduce prostitution by educating johns of the effects prostitution has on communities.

Two other men received "formal warnings" in the form of a community safety letter – which is sent to drivers stopped for trolling city streets for prostitutes.