NCJ Number
178826
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 66 Issue: 9 Dated: September 1999 Pages: 43-48
Date Published
September 1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the tactics of the Vice Unit of the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) in Orlando, Fla., in closing down sex establishments masquerading as legitimate businesses in public areas.
Abstract
The Vice Unit viewed an effective strategy as one that would generate community support, reflect favorably on Central Florida's image as one of the world's leading family vacation destinations, and help reduce the spread of communicable diseases. An eight-phase investigative checklist was developed. First, intelligence-gathering determined that the 12 identified "body-scrub" parlors were not operated by licensed massage therapists. Complete information on an establishment's owners and workers was also obtained. Second, the Vice Unit worked closely with local and State regulatory agencies to determine whether administrative enforcement action might preclude the need for further police involvement. Third, once the intelligence information had been obtained and analyzed, the vice agents learned details about the operation of the establishment through covert or undercover means. Fourth, while the covert phase of the operation was in its final stages, overt inspections were conducted by the commander of the Vice Unit and a supervisor from another section or a uniformed office from the Sheriff's Office. Fifth, once probable cause had been established, arrest warrants were obtained for workers and operators, search warrants for the business premises and any off-site locations, and seizure warrants for bank accounts. Remaining phases of the operation involved prosecution and forfeitures, regulation and statute changes, and the elimination of advertising.