BURLINGTON CITY, PA — If the Burlington City Common Council gets its way, the interior of strip clubs, adult video stores, and massage parlors would experience a profound chance in ambiance. An ordinance before the council and promoted by the local police would convert any business that currently sports an intimate, softly lit environment with private spaces into a brightly lit business with an open floor plan.Authorities insist that regulating the lighting and layout of sexually oriented businesses are essential for curtailing illegal activity and the council will vote on the matter this month.
Police Chief John Lazzarotti insists that the ordinance, which he requested, is not a response to any problems among adult businesses, but merely a way to make it easier to keep an eye on the city’s two strip clubs, one video store, and one massage parlor.
According to Lazzarotti, officers who already drop in on businesses unannounced aren’t able to see the entire building quickly and easily, due to viewing booth doors, curtains, and other partitions, which will need to be removed if the ordinance is passed. Lights will be required wherever a patron is allowed and customers will need to be visible at all times, including when they use video-viewing booths.
Lazzarotti insists that this is necessary in order to help police ensure that prostitution does not take place and to prevent the spread of disease.
In addition to the above changes, the proposed ordinance would require adult entertainment establishments to apply for an annual license giving the city more say in how they are run.
“The adult-business establishment thinks we are out to get them,” Lazzarotti admits, “but we are just trying to make it more difficult for illegal activity to occur.”
Violators could receive fines up to $1,000 and have their licenses revoked or denied renewal.
