Calgary police issue alert on offender

CALGARY — Alerting the public to a potentially dangerous offender now living in Calgary, police released the name and photo of a convicted pimp who preys on young girls and coaxes them into prostitution.

Dennis Pettigrew, 47, was released from Drumheller Institution in May after serving 5 ½ years for a number of offences including living off of the avails of prostitution, attempting to procure prostitutes and uttering threats.

"The public is warned that Pettigrew is a predatory sex trade offender with a history of targeting young girls," police said yesterday.

"He will resort to violence and threats to coerce his victims into performing various sexually motivated activities."

The danger Mr. Pettigrew poses increases when he uses drugs or alcohol, warned Constable Gary Uren of Calgary's high-risk offender program.

Mr. Pettigrew is described as about 6-foot-2 and weighing 150 lbs and with green eyes and long, grey hair with a receding hairline.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Mr. Pettigrew has been moving between Calgary and Edmonton since his release, police said. Three weeks ago he settled in Calgary after police in Edmonton issued a similar public warning.

The notice is intended to allow people to take precautionary measures, not to encourage vigilante action, Constable Uren said.

Police hope to place a peace bond on Mr. Pettigrew that will allow them to monitor his movement.

If approved, it would require Mr. Pettigrew to check in with them weekly, adhere to a curfew, and stay away from bars and areas known to be frequented by prostitutes among other conditions, Constable Uren said.

Mr. Pettigrew is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 27.