SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — The city of Spokane Valley passed two ordinances to crack down on illegal massage parlors.
Spokane Valley police will now have the authority to enter massage businesses in the city to verify people providing services are allowed to and hold valid licenses.
"This is about taking care of our citizens," Councilwoman Brandi Peetz said. "Making sure families, citizens, and children are safe in our city limits."
Peetz says their intention is not to go after law abiding businesses. However, some are not following the law, and Spokane Valley police say they're getting more and more reports.
Toni Novikoff owns a massage clinic in Spokane Valley. She's noticed more illegal massage parlors pop up in the city.
"The lines can get blurred between what we do and what they do. And not that all of them aren't doing the right thing. But if there are reports of other activity going on, that can reflect really poorly on other massage therapy clinics," said Novikoff.
Novikoff looks forward to the city cracking down on massage businesses that engage in illegal activity, such as prostitution and human trafficking.
Novikoff said, "We have to follow all the licenses and pay all the taxes and all that that is included. And I don't think it's fair that it for any business owner for somebody to not be doing the same."
"We've received a lot of complaints," Spokane Valley Chief of Police Dave Ellis said. "And so, a lot of this is community driven, where we have very flagrant ads that are being put online advertising, you know, stuff, illegal sexual acts."
Chief Ellis says they've received complaints for several months. Police have already began investigating massage businesses that are engaged in illegal activity.
Ellis said, "They've taken action done search warrants and actually conducted investigations that are even still going on as we speak."
"The city hopes to protect the welfare of its residents, to reduce crime, and address illegal activity," said Emily Estes-Cross, the PIO for Spokane Valley.
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