Brandon Police put together a two-day sweep of the city in an effort to crack down on sexual exploitation, and the result was nearly two dozen arrests and six vehicle seizures in that span.
According to police, this sweep went through June 12 and 13 and was codenamed Project Blockade. It was a joint operation including the Brandon Police Service Organized Crime Section and the Winnipeg Police Service Counter Exploitation Unit, with support from the Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre.
“Over the course of the two-day operation, 23 adult males were arrested for Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration or Communicating in Any Place for That Purpose,” said BPS in a release. “The arrests occurred across multiple locations, including specific areas of Brandon and local hotels.”
Police said they seized six vehicles under Section 242.2(3) of the Highway Traffic Act, which allows for the impoundment of motor vehicles used in prostitution-related offences. All the accused were released on undertakings in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Code.
“The goal and priorities of Project Blockade is to protect vulnerable people from sexual exploitation, reduce the demands that fuels prostitution-related offences, and hold offenders accountable through proactive enforcement,” said Inspector Dana McCallum of the Brandon Police Service. “The collaborative efforts of Provincial Policing partners and other community agencies are the foundation to increase awareness of sexual exploitation and reducing barriers for victims to report these crimes.”
