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'Dear John' warning letters sent to men who solicited...

BALTIMORE -- 'Dear John' warning letters sent to men who solicited sex from undercover officers posing as prostitutes are discouraging the sex trade in Baltimore's notorious area known as 'The Block,' police said.

'We have reduced the customer population, for the short time we've had (the program),' said Lt. John Cunningham, supervisor of the Police Department's prostitution and pornography squad.

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'Some of the prostitutes have complained that we're cutting their business down,' Cunningham said.

Since March 8, police have tried to scare off 'Johns,' or customers of prostitutes, by sending them warning letters. The letters say the next time the man is caught soliciting, he will be arrested.

Four of the 95 men protested being given the letter and were arrested and charged with assault, resisting arrest or soliciting, police said. Three are awaiting trial while one was convicted of soliciting, fined $50 and put on a year's probation.

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