City cracks down on illegal massage work
By: Joshua Sabatini
Examiner Staff Writer
March 31, 2009
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| Mayor Gavin Newsom plans to shut down illegal massage parlors. (Examiner File Photo) |
SAN FRANCISCO — The City is looking to crack down on massage parlors where illicit activities are occurring.
San Francisco has had a challenging time shutting down such businesses, which in some cases remained operating even after receiving a citation for solicitation from an undercover officer.
Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom is expected to introduce legislation that’s intended to shut down the phony massage parlors. It is suspected that at least 50 such establishments are operating in The City.
Newsom’s legislation would require massage establishments and out-call massage services to close up shop between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and increase the penalties for violations, which will make it easier to revoke licenses. It would also add a criminal penalty for operating without a permit, operating after hours or allowing unlicensed or underage practitioners, according to the Mayor’s Office.
Newsom spokesman Nathan Ballard said the legislation will “shut down illegal massage parlors.”
“The mayor is committed to eradicating sex trafficking in San Francisco,” Ballard said.
Supervisor Carmen Chu, who represents the Sunset district, which has been plagued by problematic establishments, is also expected to introduce legislation that would close a loophole by preventing any business from obtaining what is known as an accessory-use permit — often granted over the counter — to offer massage services.
Three months ago, Chu called for meetings with city officials in the Department of Public Health and the Police Department to figure out how to stamp out the problem after residents in her district were angered about massage parlors suspected of operating prostitution businesses. Although these establishments were cited for solicitation by undercover police, they continued to operate.
