Police chief Vern White is warning sex workers a developing pattern of violence in Ottawa would suggest they are being targeted.
White publicized the warning at a news conference held Friday morning at Minwaashin Lodge, a shelter for Aboriginal women on Catherine Street.
CTV Ottawa's Karen Soloman says the warning recommends workers to "be more careful than ever before" and "stick with regular" clients.
While officials say all women should be looking over their shoulders, sex trade workers are being told they need to be more watchful than others.
"Today we feel they are in danger or even greater risk of being harmed – seriously harmed," says Castille Troy, the executive director of Minwaashin Lodge.
Police say they have developed a plan which includes partnership with community organizations like Minwaashin Lodge and the Salvation Army, canvassing the streets to make sex workers aware of the concern and creating safety tip handouts.
There are several unsolved murders in Ottawa but police are not pointing to any specific ones which would have prompted the warning to be issued.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Karen Soloman
