"Police see a threat" would be more accurately described as "police see an opportunity to avoid budget cuts in a bad economy" IMHO.
Massage crackdown prompts protests
Apple Valley is moving to better regulate massage establishments after concerns arise about prostitution activity.
By HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA, Star Tribune
Last update: December 18, 2010 - 12:42 PM
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When Apple Valley residents discovered a suspected house of prostitution masquerading as a massage business near an elementary school, city officials reacted quickly.
The place was shut down within days by police, who then helped draft a new ordinance to better regulate how massage parlors operate.
City Council quickly approved the ordinance this month after Police Chief Scott Johnson warned that prostitution rings might target Apple Valley because of its lax oversight of massage establishments. The new ordinance requires background checks, investigation fees, disclosure of owners and a business license.
The council's decision, and Johnson's comments, have outraged massage therapists, especially those working out of their homes.
"You have a cottage industry here of people who work out of their home that become criminalized under this ordinance," said Barbara York, president of the Minnesota Touch Movement, a statewide organization of and for massage therapists.
York said there are as many as 3,000 such practitioners in the state, many of whom work in their own homes.
The new ordinance would not prohibit such businesses, but would add possibly hundreds of dollars in fees and payments to people who might not be able to afford it.
"This is really a great way to make a living," said Victoria McCurdy, a massage therapist in St. Paul who works out of her home. "All kinds of people do this on a part-time basis" to make ends meet.
Police see a threat
Police argue the lack of stronger regulation might have played a part in the establishment of a suspected prostitution operation near Westview Elementary in October.
"We think that's why they are coming out to Apple Valley," Johnson told the council. "This is something we need. Most cities already have such ordinances. Apple Valley is one of the few that does not."
The council agreed with Johnson, passing the ordinance 3-2 and waiving the second reading of the law so it could go into effect quicker.
"Absolutely no prostitution in Apple Valley," said Mayor Mary Hamman-Roland. "We can't condone that."
York argued that placing more restrictions and regulations on massage therapists would not stop prostitution or guarantee that criminals will not use a massage business as a front for illegal activity.
"This is a prostitution ordinance, it's not a massage ordinance," York said last week.
"I work out of my home and it's great. If I'm not doing something right, my neighborhood is watching."
Apple Valley is moving to better regulate massage establishments after concerns arise about prostitution activity.
By HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA, Star Tribune
Last update: December 18, 2010 - 12:42 PM
Print this story
E-mail this story
0diggsdiggFollow local news on Twitter
More from South Metro
Dakota County town briefs
Dakota County arts briefs
Singing holiday favorites with cheer
Students fall for fruits and veggies
Dakota County police blotter
When Apple Valley residents discovered a suspected house of prostitution masquerading as a massage business near an elementary school, city officials reacted quickly.
The place was shut down within days by police, who then helped draft a new ordinance to better regulate how massage parlors operate.
City Council quickly approved the ordinance this month after Police Chief Scott Johnson warned that prostitution rings might target Apple Valley because of its lax oversight of massage establishments. The new ordinance requires background checks, investigation fees, disclosure of owners and a business license.
The council's decision, and Johnson's comments, have outraged massage therapists, especially those working out of their homes.
"You have a cottage industry here of people who work out of their home that become criminalized under this ordinance," said Barbara York, president of the Minnesota Touch Movement, a statewide organization of and for massage therapists.
York said there are as many as 3,000 such practitioners in the state, many of whom work in their own homes.
The new ordinance would not prohibit such businesses, but would add possibly hundreds of dollars in fees and payments to people who might not be able to afford it.
"This is really a great way to make a living," said Victoria McCurdy, a massage therapist in St. Paul who works out of her home. "All kinds of people do this on a part-time basis" to make ends meet.
Police see a threat
Police argue the lack of stronger regulation might have played a part in the establishment of a suspected prostitution operation near Westview Elementary in October.
"We think that's why they are coming out to Apple Valley," Johnson told the council. "This is something we need. Most cities already have such ordinances. Apple Valley is one of the few that does not."
The council agreed with Johnson, passing the ordinance 3-2 and waiving the second reading of the law so it could go into effect quicker.
"Absolutely no prostitution in Apple Valley," said Mayor Mary Hamman-Roland. "We can't condone that."
York argued that placing more restrictions and regulations on massage therapists would not stop prostitution or guarantee that criminals will not use a massage business as a front for illegal activity.
"This is a prostitution ordinance, it's not a massage ordinance," York said last week.
"I work out of my home and it's great. If I'm not doing something right, my neighborhood is watching."
"This is a prostitution ordinance, it's not a massage ordinance," York said last week.
If it is a prostitution ordinance, why are legitimate massage providers footing the costs? Why do they have to pay to prove they are not criminals via background checks in order to operate their business? Also, a background check does not mean that someone may or may not be offering prostitution services, just that they have not been charged or caught performing said services.
Sounds, like another case of lets find a new way to add a fee/tax to a business we like to hold prejudices towards but cannot outright ban.
I agree.
If it is a prostitution ordinance, why are legitimate massage providers footing the costs? Why do they have to pay to prove they are not criminals via background checks in order to operate their business? Also, a background check does not mean that someone may or may not be offering prostitution services, just that they have not been charged or caught performing said services.
Sounds, like another case of lets find a new way to add a fee/tax to a business we like to hold prejudices towards but cannot outright ban.
Have any of you ever been to Apple Valley? for Christ sakes its called fucking: "Apple Valley". The towns founders obviously wanted it to be a Christian theme park. Im surprised they allow married couples to sleep in the same bed much less fornicate. So if you have a problem with the honest hard working folks opposed to happy endings in private residences in happy valley you could move there and tea party the town council into political oblivion. Good luck with that.
"Have any of you ever been to Apple Valley? for Christ sakes its called fucking: "Apple Valley". The towns founders obviously wanted it to be a Christian theme park."
A christian theme park in Apple Valley? Dude, that is hot! I would so sign up for the two Eves on a waterbed ride covered in sinfully hard apple cider with snakes slithering all over the three of our bodies.
"Police see a threat" would be more accurately described as "police see an opportunity to avoid budget cuts in a bad economy" IMHO.
the elected officials are "doing something" about heinous crime that shocks the conscience that doesn't actually take much effort or cost anything (other than the semi-annual police raid to prove they're "doing something.")
...Sounds, like another case of lets find a new way to add a fee/tax to a business we like to hold prejudices towards but cannot (LEGALLY, my insertion) outright ban.
Well said! How is it fair and justified that people suffer consequences and penalties....just because some blowhard 'suspects' that there might be illegal activity?? Don't we have something called a preponderance of evidence??
This is where you wish some enterprising lawyer would take them on and drag the city into a protracted lawsuit costing the city thousands of dollars during this present economy....and hopefully have the judge throw out the ordinances as unconstitutional.
I just cannot stand when people abuse their power for their own selfish and personal beliefs.
We need to have a group (COYOTE or similar group) arrange to hire some lobbyist, and have them start pounding on doors at the Capitol in Saint Paul. Working toward decriminalization, but in the short term getting some reform of some of the draconian laws used against providers and hobbyist.
I got a hell of a massage but nothing more.....
cha CHING! Follow the money.
Fees?
The government isn't protecting us. They want their cut.