Do you suppose they served spotted dick?
Posted on 11/30/2006 11:36:45 PM PST by MadIvan
AMSTERDAM is to close down nearly one-third of the 350 prostitution "windows" in the Dutch city's famed red light district, as part of a crackdown on crime in the area.
The city council said a 2003 law allowed it to deny or revoke brothels' licences when it suspected operators would use them for money-laundering or other illegal financial activity, "which in concrete terms means that those involved won't be able to continue their businesses" after 1 January, the council said in a statement.
"We're not knights on a morality crusade, and this is intended to target financial crime, not prostitution per se," said council spokesman Martien Maten. "But we do think this will change the face of the red light district."
The Dutch government legalised prostitution in 2000 with an eye to making it easier to tax and regulate. Even before then, Amsterdam's red light district was tolerated by authorities and had become a major tourist attraction.
But it is a magnet for human trafficking, drug dealers and petty crime, and the city's largest political party called for the crackdown. In response, several major sex clubs held an open house in February, hoping to improve relations and dispel the area's negative reputation.
Many of the brothels say the financial screening is unfair, because banks and reputable accountants are often unwilling to work with them, making it difficult to keep correct books.
"This is a war between the city council and the real estate bosses, and it's the women who are suffering," said Metje Blaak, spokeswoman for De Rode Draad, a trade union for prostitutes.
She said she feared many of the affected prostitutes would end up working on the street, which is more dangerous.
But Mr Maten said that business in the area has been in a slump and he suspected that many of the prostitutes affected - around 300 - will find work at the remaining legal brothels.
A number of brothels are still under review, and Amsterdam said in a statement it plans to extend the crackdown next year to related hotels and cafés suspected of money-laundering.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
Bad news for the Libertarian party.
In response, several major sex clubs held an open house in February, hoping to improve relations and dispel the area's negative reputation.An open house at a sex club. I wonder if the food was good.
"This is a war between the city council and the real estate bosses, and it's the women who are suffering," said Metje Blaak, spokeswoman for De Rode Draad, a trade union for prostitutes.
The man don't get his cut, he's gonna cut you.
Mighty slick talker that Amsterdam.
this crackdown..(no pun intended) has ntohig to do with crime....it is all about appeasing the muzzies that have invaded Holland....for over 100 years there have never been major issues with the prostitution industry...now that the muzzies are there...they will want all the whores to be wearing burkahs!!!!!
I'm sure Pinto would have been welcomed there:
Probably available as take out if other products are purchased.
Legalization only prevents arrest. It cannot change the nature of the parties involved.
Are you in Victoria BC? (Me too.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.