Agenda - Council - 11/14/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 12, 1989 Dave Hartley Mike Auspos Possible Proliferation Of Strip Acts I rece/ved a call on 10-10-89 frcm Jim Gilbertson fr~m J.R. 's. He inq~3{red about the strip teasers now performing at Jirany B' s. We had discussed' them previously and he then wanted to know if this was going, to be found to be a legal activity. He was told that I would be checking with the city attorney and ~ould let him know. When I told him that it does appear to be a legal.activity at this time, short an ordinance governing such, his ;further conversation ,left me with the impression that he intends to initiate such types of performances at his business. I see this as the start of an escalating "bar-wars" in which competing eseahlishments, out of a perceived business necessity, cume up with attractions to get their share of custumers. There are many inherent a_angers which arise from these types of enterta/nment and I will refer to none which deal with cc~ty nores since that. is pure- ly within the council's domain. Rather, I will make mention of the areas of public peace and safety which may be impacted. While such perfon~anoes may initially start out as "clean acts, perhaps to b~ called an art form, I have a feeling that this won't last long when there is a competition for customers. While at this t/me there is no customer touching, no bare genital area and,allegedly, no simula- tion of sexual acts this level is cc~parable to the small boys poking a hornet's nest with a long stick and waiting for a reaction. When custc~ers begin to demand n~re, more will be given. While it is not syllogistically correct to assures that since many strippers are prostitutes th~h those at Jinmy B' s, or in the future perhaps, J.R. 's, are therefore prostitutes the odds of such are sc~e- what high. Onoe the well is prin~d it seen~ foolish to just let the w~ter sit without drawing it. Once the girls are done with their act they are paid and leave the building. What they then do is their business, maybe in more ways than one. Also, whether it is fair to state or not, there are frequently sc~e rather unsavory types who come from miles around when they hear of an establishment featuring strippers, particularly if certain liberties are allc~ed or the act is especially "hot". With them cc~es increased ro~ess, drugs other than the alcohol and, perhaps, an increase in drunkeness. Since both establishments are on busy high- way 10 the possible increase in drug impaired drivers on the highway would cause concern. This type of entertainment will bring, in subtle, or maybe not so subtle, ways an increase in need for policing, taking away frum the general citizenry and other oonmercial est~blishements their ~hare of protection and service. The City Oouncil should take a serious, in- depth look at what may be a serious cc~ty prcblem and an albatross ~r~'~ elol:raent and ir~ge.