Minors will no longer be allowed to perform in Dallas’ sexually oriented businesses

Unanimously approved changes also eliminate private and enclosed VIP rooms

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — As expected, the Dallas City Council took action Wednesday to protect minors by strengthening City of Dallas ordinances covering sexually oriented businesses (aka SOBs).

The ordinance changes include:

• Prohibiting a sexually oriented business from allowing a minor to enter the premises, employing a minor, or allowing a minor to perform
• Requiring sexually oriented businesses to keep files with documentation of identity, age and criminal history background check on operators and entertainers
• Requiring a sexually oriented business to name designated operators. One must always be present during operating hours
• Reducing the effective date for license suspension or revocation from 30 days to 10 days
• Prohibiting private and enclosed VIP rooms

The mayor and council moved quickly to amend the city’s laws after the DPD’s High Risk Victim’s Unit found that a 12 year old girl had performed nude at a sexually oriented business. The loopholes have hindered the ability of police to close the establishment.

“When we learned we didn’t have the tools we needed, we moved quickly to put those tools in place,” said Mayor Leppert.

The vote was unanimous.

The changes also eliminated the cabarets’ VIP rooms. These are often private and enclosed. Police say these VIP rooms are where 65% of their prostitution arrests in cabarets occur. Any VIP areas must now be transparent and visible from public areas of the club.

“We are taking away the areas where criminal activity frequently occurs,” said Mayor Leppert. “The police needed these tools. We gave them what they needed.”

Violations of the ordinances could mean closure and the suspension of the business’ sexually oriented business license.

The changes take effect April 21, 2008.

Source: City of Dallas