Residents of a southeast neighbourhood have been battling prostitution problems in their backyard for years and say the stroll is getting closer to schools and causing even more problems in the area.
Lexi Jutafi says sometimes she has to walk her four year old past several prostitutes just to go to the corner store.
Prostitution has been a problem in this area for decades but people here say it's now moving onto the same streets as elementary schools.
Jutafi's daughter starts school next year and like many in Forest Lawn she wants the prostitutes gone.
“Like they are wearing their short skirts and low cut tops and they are leaning into cars and you have to like cover your kids eyes and you are like what are you doing?” said Jutafi.
Michelle has been working the street for eleven years and even she admits the hookers are too close to the kids.
“If you need to make some money don’t do it near a school because they have the rest of their lives ahead of them and it is a tragedy that we would sway them from that,” said Michelle.
Some Forest Lawn residents who have been fighting prostitution for a long time say they are giving up the fight.
While everyone wants to fix the problem, no one seems to have a solution.
Art Sheeler has been fighting prostitution in the neighbourhood for over 20 years.
“I'm just so damn broken hearted I’ve worked my heart out to get a good home and then have this kind of crap come in here,” said Sheeler.
After two decades of struggle Sheeler says he's had enough. “I hate to say it but I’m tired of fighting, I really am and I’m ready to throw up my hands and say goodbye,”
Police agree prostitution in the area has been a problem for a long time.
They regularly run undercover sting operations that ease the problem temporarily but say because prostitution is tied to addiction it has become a systemic problem without a quick fix.
(With files from Kevin Green)
