redmana2 2753 Report post Posted January 23, 2019 Teacher, fireman among 47 men arrested in operation targeting alleged sexual predatorshttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vpd-operation-sexual-predators-1.4989444 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meaghan McLeod 179664 Report post Posted January 23, 2019 (edited) For those that can't view the link. This was a sting where the clients were told the escort was under 18 years old. The vast majority declined, but 47 decided to meet up and we're promptly arrested at the location after details of age, price and sex act were confirmed via text. Troubling that 47 men still decided to go through. Skip to Main Content CBCMENU news 47 men arrested by Vancouver police in operation targeting alleged sexual predators " 47 men arrested by Vancouver police in operation targeting alleged sexual predators FacebookTwitter Police said men arrested in 2-month sting operation come from 'all walks of life' Rhianna Schmunk · CBC News · Posted: Jan 23, 2019 9:29 AM PT | Last Updated: an hour ago Deputy Chief Const. Laurence Rankin announced the charges at Vancouver police headquarters on Thursday morning. (VPD) Vancouver police say 47 men — including a school teacher, school trustee and a firefighter — were arrested during a two-month operation targeting people allegedly willing to pay teenagers for sex acts last year. On Thursday, Deputy Chief Const. Laurence Rankin said the operation began with detectives posting fake, decoy ads on web escort sites and social media platforms. Those who responded to the ads were told, by text, they were chatting with a girl between 15 and 17 years old. Rankin said the "vast majority" of men backed off after that, but 47 wanted to meet up. The officer said hotel meetings were set up once age, sex act and fee were established. The men were arrested after showing up, apparently expecting something sexual as arranged, but running into police officers instead. Officers spoke with the suspects over text message, using web escort sites and social media. Vancouver police Deputy Chief Const. Laurence Rankin said the "vast majority" of men backed off after police posing as teenagers told them they were underage. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images) Rankin said different men had different reactions when they realized what was happening. "You had everything from people who would acquiesce and people who would fight," Rankin said on Thursday. "Some attempted to provide an explanation ... some told [officers] to go out and find criminals to arrest." Seven of the 47 men, including the school teacher and trustee, have been charged with obtaining for consideration the sexual services of a person under the age of 18. Police said they are working with the Crown to lay more charges. Rankin said the men arrested come from "all walks of life," but declined to provide names because some of the men haven't gone before the courts. The officer said there's no evidence to indicate the men knew each other. At least one of them, he said, was a tourist. Another was "a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang." Concerning the teaching staff and firefighter accused, Rankin said their employers have been notified. "I want to make it clear that these projects were not about sexual activity between two consenting adults," Rankin said in the statement. "Police will continue to focus their attention on those willing to prey on and exploit young boys and girls." Fugitive in high-profile Toronto heist nabbed in Vancouver sting 'It wasn't very difficult' Rankin, who has 31 years of experience, said he was surprised at how easy it was to find targets. "It wasn't very difficult. What's shocking ... is we're looking at potentially hundreds of chat streams that were occurring over the social media platforms with the police officers that were posting as teenage girls. They had to turn down people." Senior Hells Angel convicted in elaborate RCMP cocaine sting The officer did say that not all men using the sites were interested in underage girls. "The vast majority of the men that were seeking sex industry workers were looking for adult females, so the vast majority would turn down the offer. What's disconcerting is the small group of men ... who discovered the person they were communicating with was underage and were excited about that." Rankin stressed that no real teenagers were involved in the sting. Edited January 23, 2019 by Meaghan McLeod Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katie 1337 Report post Posted January 23, 2019 I just read this, it's "Disturbing", to read about, how many Men, still went forward, with it. Totally agreeing with the "Stings" they set up, and more is need.. Obviously. Very Sickening and Disturbing, in my View. It makes a person wonder, what else these people do.. "Concerning Underage Girls".. "Lock them up, and Throw the Key Away".. Is my Opinon.. Anyways.. Disturbing Stuff to read, but it does happen, and go on.. Way too much!! :( 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TorontoMelanieJolliet 4458 Report post Posted January 24, 2019 "The vast majority of the men that were seeking sex industry workers were looking for adult females, so the vast majority would turn down the offer." ...and they seem to be off the radar of law enforcement. But not Larissa Maxwell, director of anti-human trafficking programs at the Salvation Army. Just can't resist an opportunity. The focus should have remained on the possibility of the exploitation of underage. Or she should take up a cause that works on a solution to prevent exploitation of adult individuals in the first place. Why are they exploited? Why can't they earn a decent living in the first place and they are able to be exploited? To be the director of anti-human trafficking programs seems to be there only for the 'after' instead of prevention. Raising the minimum wage was a start. But more needs to be done. Also...you can't save everybody. So even in that case, the 'after' is an up-hill battle. People need to be accepted to be helped BEFORE that becomes a option in the first place. And teenagers? They are trying to find their way in this world, open to the promise of things they perceive, will never happen for them. Open to being exploited. How do we stop that? In that case a higher minimum wage means nothing. Where do they even get the idea in the first place? High school/College culture? Social Media? Where everybody comments on their risque pics and through admiration and reinforcement/feedback that encourages more of the same? Who are THOSE people? So glad I don't have a daughter!!!!! "What's disconcerting is the small group of men … who discovered the person they were communicating with was underage and were excited about that." ...uh huh. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ice4fun 78396 Report post Posted January 26, 2019 It's great to see LE focus their attention on any asshole who is looking for sex with children... I would fully support this type of activity... it's certainly not entrapment they were told the age upfront.. No argument that they did not know age. They noted that most callers backed off when age was talked about and that only 47 continued. What I would like to know is if any of the men who backed off when further and reported the ad or phone number to police. If we believe the Adult industry should be legal in Canad then are have to be willing to help stop the abusive situations including underage. Just my opinion 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
