NCJ Number
48704
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 46 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1977) Pages: 16-20
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE PROLIFERATION OF MASSAGE PARLORS, AND HOW THE PROBLEM WAS DEALT WITH IN CHICAGO, ILL., IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE CHICAGO EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT MOST MASSAGE PARLORS WERE HOUSES OF PROSTITUTION, WITH OWNERS AND OPERATORS EMPLOYING A VARIETY OF LEGAL LOOPHOLES AND LABELING AND ADVERTISING TECHNIQUES TO CIRCUMVENT THE LAWS OF THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH THEY WERE LOCATED. AS THE PARLORS INCREASED IN NUMBERS AND BEGAN TO COMPETE AMONG THEMSELVES FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF SERVICES, A NEW TECHNIQUE HAD TO BE DEVELOPED TO COUNTER THEIR SPREAD. IN ADDITION TO LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, A NEW MASSAGE PARLOR ORDINANCE WHICH DETAILED THE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES THAT MASSAGE PARLORS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO BE ENGAGED IN WAS ENACTED. BECAUSE OF ATTEMPTS TO CIRCUMVENT THE LAW, OTHER METHODS, INCLUDING CIVIL (I.E., BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS) AND CRIMINAL ACTIONS AGAINST MASSAGE PARLOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS WERE INTRODUCED. IT IS NOTED THAT WHEN A JURISDICTION DECIDES TO TAKE EFFECTIVE ACTION AGAINST OPERATORS AND OWNERS, THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS EARLY DETECTION AND SWIFT ENFORCEMENT ACTION. THE CHICAGO ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM WAS APPLIED EQUALLY TO MASSAGE-PARLOR EMPLOYEES, AND CUSTOMERS. BACKGROUND CHECKS OF EMPLOYEES HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY HAVE BEEN CONVICTED PREVIOUSLY OF PROSTITUTION, AND SOME OF MORE SERIOUS CRIMES. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (TAO)