Massage parlors in Santa Monica might be subject to more city regulations, an attempt by city officials to combat alleged illicit sexual activities at several of the businesses. A proposed amendment would require that all technicians seeking a permit in Santa Monica be fingerprinted, a regulation that exists in all other Southern California cities that have a massage ordinance.
The council approved the amendments to the massage ordinance on first reading at its meeting on Tuesday. The changes are expected to be formally adopted by the council at an upcoming meeting. Santa Monica Police Department officials estimate that approximately 25 percent of the massage businesses in the city engage in illicit activities, most commonly, prostitution. Police have shut down approximately 10 businesses in the past several years, five of which closed voluntarily. Four of the businesses had a massage license. “We’ve had a number of complaints from community members because of the increased number in illicit massage operations in the city in recent years,” City Attorney Marsha Moutrie said. DP
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 16, 2008. Read the original PDF.