Posted on 09/17/2003 5:19:24 AM PDT by Phlap
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The City Council has voted to ban lap dances and all other physical contact between entertainers and customers at strip clubs, bikini bars and adult bookstores.
A "no-touch" rule would require dancers to remain at least six feet from customers - even when dancers are tipped. The council also voted Tuesday to outlaw "VIP rooms," where nude dancers perform privately.
The ordinance now goes to Mayor James Hahn for his signature and could go into effect as early as next month. Hahn has said he will sign the bill.
Under the law, strip clubs must hire a state-licensed security guard and undergo an annual permit review. Violations would be punishable by up to six months in jail and up to $2,500 in fines.
Attorney Roger Jon Diamond said he planned to file a lawsuit challenging the ordinance's language and how it was adopted. Exotic dancers argued at previous hearings that the ordinance would destroy their livelihood.
Supporters of the law argued that strip clubs contribute to prostitution, drug use and violence.
AP-ES-09-17-03 0729EDT
The justices have their dollar bills ready for when the case reaches them.
Exotic dancers my eye.
The line wound 'round the block at the employment office downtown, as hundreds, no, perhaps THOUSANDS, arrived here as the news of this spread across the city - by TV, radio and even by word of mouth.
Our own Kimberly Ascroft has the story:
"The civic duty surging through their veins is what has brought these fellows to the City Permit office today, Ken, as the need for quality overseeing of the Adult Fun Industry."As we reported LAST year, during the Mayoral Pre-election Scandal story, the industry was TRYING to police itself, but had fallen short of the guidlines tentatively set by the old governmental office of Business Activitys: Lap Dancers. (Or as it was popularly known: BALD.)
"This NEW function of our great city, passed by the council last May, is the office of Annual Permit Evaluation - APE - if you will.
"As I spoke with some standing in line, the common theme seemed to be that QUALITY lap dancing would FINALLY be the norm, not the exception, here in our town: home to many, many conventions and get-to-gethers.
"I don't know about you folks in the studio and in our audience in the large MetroPlex Area, but I know that here at KSIT-TV, we'll be in the forefront of reporting the "REST of the story" (as a certain well-known RADIO personality is famous for) as we FOLLOW whomever is placed into this job position as he enters, and rates, the bars and dives in the months to come.
"This is Kimberly Ascroft - KSIT Newseye Reporter. Back to you, Ken"
"Thank you Kimberly, for that InDepth probe into the latest from City Hall.
"Now, here with the Weather-in-a-Flash, is Misty. Take it away, Misty....."
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