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Houston Police Department strip club crackdown planned
KHOU Channel 11 News ^ | 5/19/2007 | Jason Whitely

Posted on 05/20/2007 10:20:08 AM PDT by Eric Blair 2084

The Houston Police Department's Vice Squad is putting together plans to start raiding dozens of the city's sexually oriented businesses. That crackdown, 11 News has learned, could begin within weeks. Owners of more than 120 topless clubs, modeling studios and adults bookstores in Houston will soon receive a two-page letter from the city's Legal Department. The letter says the businesses are in violation of the city's sexually oriented business ordinance; too close to neighborhoods, schools or parks. The City of Houston has spent more than $1.3 million in court costs over the last decade fighting to enforce this ordinance. Now, it appears HPD might soon take action. "Captain [Steve] Jett and the vice division have been working on an enforcement plan," said Don Cheatham, General Counsel for the city's Legal Department. "At this point I would tell you I'm not privy to it. But I would expect some action in a period of weeks." Owners and operators of the targeted businesses could face up to a $4,000 dollar fine and a year in jail unless they close down or move. Neither attorneys nor owners for several establishments returned our phone calls. But they're reportedly not giving up their legal fight.

(Excerpt) Read more at khou.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: funpolice; leo; morality; nannystate; stripclub; vice
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To: Arrowhead1952

I knew you were joking - I’m just shocked at the police in Houston busting these clubs, I thought this was where some of them hung out for coffee breaks.


61 posted on 05/21/2007 6:05:38 AM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Rudy met his third wife when he was cheating on his first wife with his second wife." Jay Leno)
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To: cbkaty; MEGoody

It is my understanding that Houston doesn’t have zoning so one of these clubs could pop up in just about anyone’s back yard?


62 posted on 05/21/2007 6:07:02 AM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Rudy met his third wife when he was cheating on his first wife with his second wife." Jay Leno)
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
I know. Take a look at this thread. It is NOT a joke.

Clinton (cankles) Wants Pre-K for All 4-Year-Olds

63 posted on 05/21/2007 6:12:02 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (Guns don't kill people. None of my guns ever left the house at night and killed anyone.)
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To: Eric Blair 2084

I guess all the katrina Victims Visa cards ran out


64 posted on 05/21/2007 6:21:02 AM PDT by philly-d-kidder (In the theatre..in Kuwait!)
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
It is my understanding that Houston doesn’t have zoning so one of these clubs could pop up in just about anyone’s back yard?

Well...yes...but this is what all the news is about...the City of Houston passed new regulations to restrict where these businesses can conduct business....

DISCLAIMER: I do not visit these places....but I must respect their right to free enterprise. I do not lose sleep over their current predicament, but can see where the same pressure can be used to limit other businesses, such as the actions the City of Chicago implemented against Walmart......

65 posted on 05/21/2007 6:45:05 AM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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To: Eric Blair 2084

>>This debate should be more fun than the Strip Clubs themselves. And that is saying something. There’s nothing like a Texas strip club!<<

So what are the distinguishing features of a Texas strip club.


66 posted on 05/21/2007 6:47:52 AM PDT by gondramB (No man can be brave who thinks pain the greatest evil)
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To: cbkaty
I guess it would help if I read the entire article rather than just the first paragraph. ;^)

So the City of Houston does know what zoning means, but only uses it when it suits them?

67 posted on 05/21/2007 6:58:20 AM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Rudy met his third wife when he was cheating on his first wife with his second wife." Jay Leno)
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
So the City of Houston does know what zoning means, but only uses it when it suits them?

Congratulations, you have achieved something most Freepers don't have. That is the ability to clearly see the issues without having their personal bias get in the way!

This ordinance will eventually be thrown out by a court somewhere because it is selective zoning. And since Houston has no comprehensive zoning ordinance, they are targeting a certain type of business to apply a zoning regulation toward. Look for non sexually-oriented businesses which sell alcohol within the same distance of schools, churches and neighborhoods to be the next victims.


68 posted on 05/21/2007 7:50:51 AM PDT by TexanByBirth (Texas Governor Rick Perry: The Best Aggie Joke Ever!)
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To: TexanByBirth
The cities in Texas where I have lived before always had zoning in place - and that included alcohol sales and/or adult entertainment not being allowed within a certain distance of a school or a church. I'm fine with that but it was in place before someone setting up a business. This after the fact stuff doesn't seem fair or legal to me
69 posted on 05/21/2007 7:58:36 AM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Rudy met his third wife when he was cheating on his first wife with his second wife." Jay Leno)
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
It is my understanding that Houston doesn’t have zoning

According to the article, Houston has an ordinance that states where strip clubs are allowed.

70 posted on 05/21/2007 10:03:05 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: cbkaty
but to say that neighborhoods suffer property valuation degradation is suspect

Not at all. You had one example of one club that is folded into an upscale business area. Not the norm at all. Drive around and see where all the strip clubs are located. If the areas aren't already seedy and full of human 'vermin', drive around again in 6 months. 99.9% of them will have a negative impact on the neighborhoods they are in or around.

Like I've said, if you want one in your neighborhood, have at it. But not in MY neighborhood.

71 posted on 05/21/2007 10:05:19 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: MEGoody

I think that ordinance was only passed in 1997. I honestly don’t care what happens to these clubs, but believe the club was there prior to the ordinance.


72 posted on 05/21/2007 10:10:31 AM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Rudy met his third wife when he was cheating on his first wife with his second wife." Jay Leno)
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To: Eric Blair 2084
How do you say lap dance in Spanish anyway?

Z-Visa.

Oh, wait, I have that confused with a different sexual act...

73 posted on 05/21/2007 10:14:33 AM PDT by hunter112
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To: MEGoody
Not at all. You had one example of one club that is folded into an upscale business area.

I am NOT a supporter of strip joints....I only stated a fact. If you want more examples, the Houston Chronicle has 9 more high volume men's clubs in todays edition....

They generate a total of $260,144,341 in liquore sales, $36,420,208 in State Taxes, and $3,902,170 in local taxes annually....

Guess who will replace this revenue when they are shut down?

None of the neighborhoods associated suffer property value problems...unless, and I say unless.....they are very close to the building or parking lot. These places normally have lot security that tolerate no mischief....It's bad for business!!!!!

I believe the real culprit of property devaluations is the low-budget, back-street barrooms, and drug dens that dot city landscapes everywhere....

74 posted on 05/21/2007 10:46:09 AM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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To: cbkaty
Guess who will replace this revenue when they are shut down?

All they have to do is relocate. Yeah, it'll cost money, but if they are making all that revenue, they can afford it.

75 posted on 05/21/2007 11:02:37 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: Eric Blair 2084
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket That would be Rosie's pick for the evening....
76 posted on 05/21/2007 11:04:36 AM PDT by dragonblustar
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To: gondramB
So what are the distinguishing features of a Texas strip club.

Two things, two words: ALL NUDE (Tastefully done of course)and LIQUOR LICENCE ($8 per drink). Plus the women who work there have a certain friendly southern charm.

I'm a Dallas Cowboy fan, so I get down to the DFW Metroplex a couple of times a year for games with some friends. We go out to some Gentlemans Clubs in the Dallas area whenever we're there. I've always divided the guys who go to strip clubs into different categories:

NOT OK: Hanging out in a strip club every day at 11 AM...by yourself.

OK: Going to a strip club with friends or business associates a few times a year between 8-2 AM

NOT OK: Racking up a $110,000 AMEX bill there and not remembering how it happened the next morning

OK: Dropping $200-$1,000 in cash

NOT OK: Hanging around outside the strip club at 4 AM as it empties out and arguing with somebody because he "dissed your posse"

OK: Taking a taxi home to the hotel

77 posted on 05/21/2007 11:10:33 AM PDT by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
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To: MEGoody
All they have to do is relocate. Yeah, it'll cost money, but if they are making all that revenue, they can afford it.

It is not "IF they are making all that revenue"...they are..... They are located near some of the best hotels & shopping areas....business travel & expense accounts fuel these establishments.

As much as I dislike this particular business, I must admit there is a market for it and I simply do not subscribe to the forced relocation of any legitimate business based on government edict or political whim. We now understand gubment control of smoking, transfat, and adult entertainment..... The Taliban understand this type of control and use it rather effectively....

I will err on the side of FREEDOM everytime......

78 posted on 05/21/2007 11:19:21 AM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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To: cbkaty
It is not "IF they are making all that revenue"...they are

Then they'll have no trouble paying to relocate.

I will err on the side of FREEDOM everytime

Good - then any that try to locate in my neighborhood, I will politely point them in your direction.

79 posted on 05/21/2007 1:24:32 PM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: MEGoody
Good - then any that try to locate in my neighborhood, I will politely point them in your direction.

Here is something to ponder.....many of these places have been in the same location for more than 20 years....

People chose to purchase property near them....the properietors did not put a gun to their heads...they were willing buyers of property near a sexually oriented business.

One more thing the distance the establishments must be from a neighborhood has increased from no separation to 1,000 feet and now the city is increasing the distance to 1,500 feet... This is called moving the goal posts.....

Again, is it a legitimate business of not? Is it private property or not? I don't care for the business type, but will always support property rights.... When they come for your property rights will there be anyone to support you?

80 posted on 05/22/2007 5:04:40 AM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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