The Torrance City Council at the Tuesday, September 14, 2010 meeting will consider adopting an interim urgency ordinance enacting a moratorium on the issuance of any permits or licenses for new massage and acupuncture establishments in the City of Torrance.
In 2002, the city had only 14 licensed massage businesses and fewer than 60 licensed massage technicians. As of August 31, 2010, there were 44 licensed massage businesses. In the past eight years, the City's number of licensed massage businesses has more than doubled and it number of licensed massage technicians has more than quadrupled. The are concomitant negative effects on the quality of life within the community and impacts to the Police Department's ability to provide a safe and secure community.
From January 2009 to August 31, 2010, there have been a total of 13 convictions for lewd conduct, prostitution and immoral massage. From December 2009 to February 2010, six massage establishments have had their business licenses revoked. Seven acupuncture establishments were cited for lewd conduct and prostitution. Six establishments did not have acupuncture equipment or supplies. There are currently 42 licensed medical acupuncture establishments in the City.
On September 1, 2009, the California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 731 which effectively gutted local control over the licensing of massage establishments and massage technicians. SB 731 made it difficult to control criminal activity associated with these types of businesses.
We are passing this information along so you can be aware of the concerns in the community and the limitations placed on law enforcement activity.
In 2002, the city had only 14 licensed massage businesses and fewer than 60 licensed massage technicians. As of August 31, 2010, there were 44 licensed massage businesses. In the past eight years, the City's number of licensed massage businesses has more than doubled and it number of licensed massage technicians has more than quadrupled. The are concomitant negative effects on the quality of life within the community and impacts to the Police Department's ability to provide a safe and secure community.
From January 2009 to August 31, 2010, there have been a total of 13 convictions for lewd conduct, prostitution and immoral massage. From December 2009 to February 2010, six massage establishments have had their business licenses revoked. Seven acupuncture establishments were cited for lewd conduct and prostitution. Six establishments did not have acupuncture equipment or supplies. There are currently 42 licensed medical acupuncture establishments in the City.
On September 1, 2009, the California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 731 which effectively gutted local control over the licensing of massage establishments and massage technicians. SB 731 made it difficult to control criminal activity associated with these types of businesses.
We are passing this information along so you can be aware of the concerns in the community and the limitations placed on law enforcement activity.
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