Street prostitution complaints focus on Beltline, Forest Lawn

Calgary has as many as 3,000 prostitutes, with most working behind closed doors, according to a new report from city hall.

Ward 13 Coun. Diane Colley-Urquhart called for the report after the Supreme Court struck down Canada's anti-prostitution laws.

Released this week, it concludes that 70 to 90 per cent of prostitution in Calgary happens indoors and is likely arranged online.

"In the old days I guess we used to call them trick pads," Colley-Urquhart said. "They can move these operations into existing communities, where you have people coming and going all night, and the consequences of this are felt at a neighbourhood level."

Reports of "outdoor prostitution" are concentrated in the Beltline and Forest Lawn.

Police officers and members of a city hall committee also travelled to Sweden and Norway to better understand how red-light districts work.

"Everyone is spouting off the Nordic model as though it is a panacea," she said. "For key members of our city administration and police service to actually talk to organizations, talk to social agencies and get the real scoop about what this model is... we've concluded this isn't the solution for Calgary."

The report will be discussed Wednesday at a city hall committee.