Quantcast

Jump to: site navigation, content.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

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

Unanimously approved changes also eliminate private and enclosed VIP rooms

By Pegasus News wire

Email Print Tell us your story Comments (3)

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

Related stories

See more stories in:

Comments

Laura Evans

Laura Evans Staff

Here some tips for SOBs from Chris Rock himself.

3 weeks, 4 days ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

kaja Anonymous

Anyone else hear the sound of knees jerking? Obviously, the ordinance should prohibit underage performers, employees and customers, but what is the relevance of outlawing “private and enclosed VIP rooms”? This will only encourage more clubs to operate underground and avoid the SOB ordinance.

3 weeks, 3 days ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

CraigM Anonymous

re: your headline

Minors weren't allowed to perform in Dallas adult cabarets before the City Council action. It has been against state law at least since the mid-1990s if not before.

2 weeks, 6 days ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Post a comment

(Requires free PegasusNews.com account.)


Password: (Forgotten your password?)


Find...

an event a Pegasus Pick
a restaurant a garage sale
a drink special a movie showtime
a band an organization
a job a political contribution

Add...

an event a garage sale
a lost pet a band
a story a photo

Today

Cocktail Hour: Grand Marnier Margaritas Eager to populate its "picturesque patio", the Mansion is serving free f-r-e-e margaritas made with Grand Marnier. Provisos: It's from 6 to 7 p.m. only, and seating is "limited", although they don't say to whom. Probably not you, but what the hell. More info

Blogs

See more

Latest comments

See more recent comments

Latest reviews

  • wkwine on Raphael’s: We have eaten here several times now since the new ownership. Great service, food and drinks. My fav...
  • halfNhalf on D’Kusina: This place is awesome! The food is delicious and the Aunty that runs it is very friendly. When ever ...
  • lbetanzo on Raphael’s: I've had three meals at Raphael's and i liked everything. A must-have is the queso flameado. It's wa...

See more recent reviews