Winnipeg council pushes for red light area

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, July 14 (UPI) -- Winnipeg, Canada, city council wants to create a red light district - sort of a "if-you-can't-beat-'em-then-join-'em" approach.

Council members proposing a red light zone say it would keep prostitutes in one area and supporters of the idea are receiving backing from business people in the city, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Wednesday.

"That would be a sensible solution," said Sharon Oger, who owns a laundromat in an area which prostitutes frequent. "People would be able to see if 13-year-old girls are getting involved."

Council members Harry Lazarenko and Harvey Smith said Winnipeg should adopt the example of Amsterdam, which has the world's most famous red light district, with surveillance cameras and police everywhere and government officials there say the result is reduced crime.