Illegal businesses

Some people either rent or buy a condo in order to run a business out of the unit. There are many condos in Toronto that have illegal rooming houses, retail services, day care centres, commercial businesses, body-rub parlors or brothels in residential units.

Carlie Ritch, alias Mizz Barbie Bitch, runs a dungeon out of her downtown Toronto condo. One of her web ads reads, in part, “looking for submissives to play with, egos to annihilate, wills to crush.”

In the March of 2012, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that “bawdy houses”—that is, brothels—should become legal early in 2013, and that “living off the avails of prostitution” should be allowed as long as no exploitation takes place.

So where should they go?

In an article printed in "The Grid" titled "So You Want to Start a Brothel?", Mary-Anne Kenworthy, who owns and operates a large bordello in Australia  said “I personally believe the 13th floor of a highrise is ideal, with discreet signage,” sketching out a small, low-key operation embedded in a residential neighbourhood.

Duo used Spider-Man-like moves to flee sex den home invasion: Cops
Toronto Sun
By: Chris Doucette
18 January 2016

TORONTO - Two gun-toting men behind the violent home invasion of a Scarborough sex den climbed down eight storeys to escape from cops.

YCC 230 1950 Kennedy Rd.

Toronto Police say officers responded to a 911 call regarding an armed robbery at 1950 Kennedy Rd., north of Ellesmere Rd., around 1:40 a.m. on Nov. 26.

“It’s an apartment that was being used for prostitution,” Staff-Insp. Mike Earl said Wednesday.

He said two men, armed with handguns and a knife, gained entry by posing as customers.

“Once inside, these guys demanded cash from three people who were in the apartment,” Earl said. “Two of the people were bound with zip ties and pistol-whipped.”

The victims handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the bandits.

“As police officers arrived at the highrise, they heard a gunshot ring out inside the apartment,” Earl said.

But using Spider-Man-like abilities, he said the home invaders “scaled down the outside of the building from the balcony and evaded capture.”

Investigators have released images of two suspects captured by security cameras.

One man is described as Asian, aged 25 to 35, about 5-foot-11, with a skinny build and short black hair.

The second man is also Asian, 35 to 40, about 5-foot-8, with a medium build and he wore metal-framed glasses.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Holdup Squad at 416-808-7350 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1–800-222-8477.

Drug dealing/drug labs
As for now, perhaps the biggest problem are illegal grow-ups and meth labs in condo units. They are especially nasty. Not only is there a danger that the labs may blowup but armed robberies are a serious danger.

What you can do?
Don't confront your neighbours. That may be far too dangerous. Also, be sure to keep your front door locked.

Start by documenting what you see and hear, including dates and times, and report the problem to the property management in writing.

If they ignore the problem, bring it to the attention of the police. The more information you can give them the better.

If the police seem sluggish, make an appointment to see your local councillor and MPP. They may be able to help.

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