Cracking down on prostitution

“These types of establishments are on the rise in the San Gabriel Valley, so we just want to make sure we have proper processes in place”

CALLING it "the oldest profession" and then throwing up one's hands is never a good approach to dealing with the sudden rise of prostitution in the San Gabriel Valley. via Whittier Daily News

[Agree]

Cracking down on prostitution
Article Launched: 04/26/2008 08:47:48 PM PDT

CALLING it "the oldest profession" and then throwing up one's hands is never a good approach to dealing with the sudden rise of prostitution in the San Gabriel Valley.

We're glad to hear that is not what many of our cities and law enforcement agencies have done. They've chosen to fight.

A sting last December netted 40 prostitution-related arrests. Soon, the CP Acupuncture Health Center in Covina will be shut down after a police sting led to a prostitution arrest of a Monterey Park woman. Another business also targeted surrendered its business license.

Prostitution operations have popped up behind legitimate services for acupuncture and massages. The misnamed "victimless" crime schemes often are run by gangs or organized crime. More sophisticated operations involve human trafficking of women who are brought to the United States against their will or to pay off a debt. These operations not only exploit women, make a mockery of freedom, but they taint our good neighborhoods and can lower property values.

Of course, we are not so naive to believe we can ever be totally rid of this scourge. But as a means to that end, cities must examine all business license applications for massage businesses, spas or acupuncture centers with a fine-tooth comb. Stopping illegal operations from gaining a foothold is easier than rooting out those after they've become established.

Crime lords looking to open prostitution rings under legal banners seek out "soft cities," those with lackadaisical rules. For massage or acupuncture technicians, cities should require a high level of training from reputable colleges. They should verify each technician's license to see if it is legitimate. Codes should be written to include minimum standards and amenities for each business. When potential prostitution rings see cities are serious, they go elsewhere.
The cities of Azusa, Pasadena and Glendora are on the right track by instituting moratoriums on future massage therapy businesses. Azusa, the latest to do so, was acting responsibly by calling for the time out after receiving more than the usual number of applications for spas and massage places. Azusa PD recently approved two new massage business permit applications, and in the last few weeks received three more.

"These types of establishments are on the rise in the San Gabriel Valley, so we just want to make sure we have proper processes in place," said Azusa police Capt. Sam Gonzalez.

Second, police agencies can consult with the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's vice unit for added expertise. Last, they can call in state labor code enforcers if they suspect a business is involved in prostitution. Labor code inspectors can cite a business for not paying into Workers Compensation or Social Security or for violating overtime laws, for example.

Cities and the county must not relent in stopping crooks from establishing such footholds. Even if it is the oldest trick in the book.

[Free Massages]

Are they offered lifetime free "massages" for those permits?

[Craig V from Louisiana]

I've never been able to figure out why in a free market economy it is illegal to sell what it's perfectly legal to give away for free? I am referring to sex between consenting adults.

Prostitution creates most the the problems we have in society from this bizarre contradiction and the perverted desire of the morally deranged religious extremists to control the freedom of others. I believe it was Jesus who said, "he who is without sin , cast the first stone"?

If prostitution were legal, then most of the problems from sexual exploitation by criminals to neighborhood zoning issues would be far easier to deal with. But, sex titilates and sells, and as George Orwell observed totalitarian governments especially love to use false and hypocritical morality to exploit this issue to maintain power.

[slava]

yes, we need to decriminalize prostitution! In San Francisco, we are putting an initiative on the ballot to decriminalize prostitution. We need a lot of support, including funds! check out the website at www.espu-ca.org

[Geez]

People have to earn gas money some how?

[happy ending]

hoes gotta eat too!

[Dino]

Craig V from Louisiana wrote:

I've never been able to figure out why in a free market economy it is illegal to sell what it's perfectly legal to give away for free? I am referring to sex between consenting adults.
Prostitution creates most the the problems we have in society from this bizarre contradiction and the perverted desire of the morally deranged religious extremists to control the freedom of others. I believe it was Jesus who said, "he who is without sin , cast the first stone"?
If prostitution were legal, then most of the problems from sexual exploitation by criminals to neighborhood zoning issues would be far easier to deal with. But, sex titilates and sells, and as George Orwell observed totalitarian governments especially love to use false and hypocritical morality to exploit this issue to maintain power.

Makes too much sense, it would never work. Too many people want to control the other guy and not take care of their own business. They have to blame someone/something else.

[Geez]

If the Goverment make Prostitition legal, it would help in comtroling STD's,HIV and Aids. There would test don't every week or month on the Pro's(both men and women) and just think of the Tax money coming. I would help in paying for more police,school and clinic's for testing!

Futhermore, they should my drugs legal, there enough junkie's out there stealing, and robbing people for money.

[Close to Pomona]

where is all this at!! I need a good massage!! LOL