Posted on April 17, 2008 at 1:12 p.m.

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.

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

Posted on October 3, 2007 at 9:36 a.m.

The Washington Post published a very well researched article on Sunday, September 23rd, that totally debunked the urban myth of a massive sexual slavery operating in the U.S. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/... It’s too bad that the Post’s story hasn’t gotten the national and local coverage that some of the more sensationalized stories have received.

On Dallas uses newer tactic for punishing illegal massage parlors

Posted on September 10, 2007 at 7:36 p.m.

Just to make a point, a DMN story last week (almost 5 months after this story) included one line about last April’s events which read they “didn’t find any links to human trafficking”. It’s disappointing that while the media was so quick the use a sensationalized headline “Local Spas Connected to …. Human Trafficking”, when the truth eventually comes out, it is almost unnoticed.

On Local spas connected to prostitution and human trafficking ring

Posted on September 7, 2007 at 3:05 p.m.

Lastangelman, you’re buying into the hype DPD tried to spread last April. They made a big deal; even had press conferences, to pat themselves on the back because they had taken down a bunch of spas and had uncovered a possible human trafficking operation. Read yesterday’s DMN carefully; the line that says they “didn’t find any links to human trafficking” is easy to miss.

Where did you get your idea’s about “Korean parlours”? What do you consider “voluntary” parlours?

On Dallas uses newer tactic for punishing illegal massage parlors

Posted on September 6, 2007 at 4:10 p.m.

Actually there is another line in the DMN story that should draw attention. Refer back to the stories and press releases from last April. The story was headlined “Local Spas Link to Prostitution and Human Trafficking”. Several police officials were quoted as they cited the evils and abuse of sexual slavery – implying they had rescued one or more helpless girls. Hidden away as almost a passing comment in today’s story is the sentence referring to last April. ”But police say they didn't find any links to human trafficking”. It’s disappointing to me that NONE of the news media hold the police or city/state leaders accountable for their reckless innuendo.

Not to be outdone in today’s story, State Representation Rafael Anchia pontificates, "It creates not only the appearance that the neighborhood is unsafe, but also draws in people who might be undesirable who might frequent these establishments. And ultimately it drives down the quality of life." Excuse me! Maybe someone from the media should inform Rep. Anchia that the businesses he’s referring to are not located in residential neighborhoods, many more undesirables are drawn in by other businesses, and there are certainly hundreds, if not thousands of areas in Dallas, including Rep. Anchia’s own district, that are certainly more unsafe and with quality of life issues that have nothing to do with store-front spas.

On Dallas uses newer tactic for punishing illegal massage parlors

Posted on July 14, 2007 at 10:13 a.m.

The REAL issue here is not how well DPD or any other law enforcement organizations can massage their comstat numbers, but rather how effective are they when it comes to the job we’re paying them to do - SERVE AND PROTECT the general public. If they want to brag about numbers, how about telling us how much tax money and other resources are being wasted on useless programs such as the vices squad’s web site and other nonsense with absolutely no demonstrable evidence to justify their existence.

We have too many REAL problems that need EFFECTIVE attention. Bureaucrats need to protect their territory and justify their jobs. Too many of these programs are the equivalent of the proverbial “rearranging deckchairs……”. I would like to see journalists be more diligent about making law enforcement and city officials accountable for providing MEANINGFUL results, rather than simply allowing them to pat themselves on the back with cooked numbers and ineffective programs.

On Dallas Voice: Dallas' crime rate could be big mistake?

Posted on June 3, 2007 at 12:16 p.m.

As I said earlier, I can’t speak directly to this young lady’s specific circumstances without betraying confidence. Her situation is her private business and not the public’s; however, my point is that a public institution (i.e. the police department), through their spokesperson, made some unsubstantiated claims that, if untrue, serve no useful purpose, other than to justify their own actions and tactics. I believe all government institutions, including law enforcement, should be held accountable. If they are going to give news conferences to present speculation, the media needs to follow-up after the dust settles to verify that our institutions are acting in the public’s interest.

On Local spas connected to prostitution and human trafficking ring

Posted on May 28, 2007 at 1:27 p.m.

For the most part Sanders, I agree with your arguments, but, at least in this case, it isn’t all about immigration; however, your use of the terms “PR” and “crime networks” is quite accurate. I happen to know the young lady whom the police were so quick to identify as a “victim” they had rescued. Because most of the information I know was told to me in confidence, I won’t go into any specific details about her, other than to say that her situation had nothing to do with “human trafficking”. If the real story were known, it would be obvious that certain individuals within government and law enforcement are spinning, using vague wording and ambiguous terms to make themselves look like heroes while diverting attention from the real problems that they and their self-serving policies have caused. I’m very disappointed that no one from the media has been willing to dig out the real story and tell it objectively.

On Local spas connected to prostitution and human trafficking ring

Posted on May 12, 2007 at 4:15 p.m.

Just to further make a point; it’s been three weeks now and there hasn’t been any confirmation of human trafficking or sexual slavery. Why doesn’t the news media make law enforcement accountable for their self-serving and provocative statements?

On Local spas connected to prostitution and human trafficking ring

Posted on April 22, 2007 at 1:06 p.m.

Just as an afterthought Alan; I think it would be good if you, or any of the media, followed up with the police a week or two later to see if there was any substance to their insinuations.

On Local spas connected to prostitution and human trafficking ring