Escondido police inspect 21 massage parlors for crimes - The San Diego Union-Tribune

[massage]

Escondido — Escondido police detectives led a joint inspection of 21 massage businesses to crack down on illegal activity Monday, and discovered 25 municipal code and ordinance violations, police said.

Fifteen businesses were violating municipal code sections, while 10 were violating ordinances related to fire and life safety, Escondido police said. More than $10,000 in fines was imposed on several parlors.

“Our city welcomes reputable businesses. However, if a business engages in unlawful activity we will use all legal means to either gain compliance or shut the business down,” police Chief Craig Carter said in a statement. “The police department prefers voluntary compliance over prosecution, but we will pursue criminal charges against employees and business owners who choose to operate their business in violation of existing laws.”

Escondido’s Code Enforcement Division, fire department and City Attorney’s Office, along with state agencies, participated in the joint effort, police said.

Last year, Escondido police detectives discovered a massage business, Oriental Therapy on Valley Parkway, engaged in prostitution activities. The parlor shut down in December after being prosecuted by the Escondido City Attorney.

To control a growing number of massage parlors in Escondido, the city council approved regulations designed to crack down on illicit massage businesses in January 2015. The rules, in part, made it easier for police to shut down illegal operations.

Carter said more inspections of massage businesses would be conducted.

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