Police shut down East Meadow, Salisbury massage parlors - liherald.com

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Two foot spas and massage parlors in East Meadow and Salisbury have been shut down for allegedly promoting prostitution and illegal massages.

According to the Town of Hempstead and the Nassau County Police Department, several businesses nearby have been closed or are under investigation for the same reason, and some arrests have been made.

The town closed Jade Reflexology, on Merrick Avenue in East Meadow, in late September, and Dongyun Sakura Spa, on Carman Avenue in Salisbury, had locks placed on the doors in March. A spokesman for the town said that the businesses were found to be conducting alleged illegal activities as a result of anonymous complaints made to the town’s building department or to the NCPD.

County police and elected officials said they suspect the illegal services the parlors allegedly offered are connected.

Helen Meittinis, president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue and a resident of Salisbury, had a feeling that the Dongyun Sakura Spa was doing something shady.

“The hair went up on my neck,” Meittinis said. “I had a feeling something was off.”

Meittinis said that when she took a course at the Civilian Police Academy, a detective taught her what to look for when it came to places like this. She added that the workers looked like prisoners and never looked happy.

“It makes your skin crawl when you see the workers,” she said. “They have such a sad look.”

Town Supervisor Don Clavin praised Nassau police for their efforts in attempting to stop the alleged practices.

“I am happy that we have managed to close these illicit businesses down so they no longer can pollute our community’s downtown corridors,” Clavin said in a statement.

“I am proud of the partnerships my colleagues and I on the town board have fostered with our partners in government from Nassau County, and I am especially grateful for the dedicated work of our Town of Hempstead Building Department staff and the members of the Nassau County Police Department for getting this done.”

Meittinis said that the spa in Salisbury was there for less than six months before being shut down.

In a release from earlier this month, the town said there are massage parlors on Newbridge Road in North Bellmore and Merrick Avenue in Merrick with open investigations. Because the investigations are ongoing, the town was unable to provide the names of the parlors or exact locations.

There is an additional, open investigation for a massage parlor on Merrick Road in Seaford.

Police said two suspects, identified as Xiaojing Gao, 39, of Rego Park, and Lijuan Zhao, 37, of Flushing were arrested for alleged illegal massages and prostitution at the Seaford location. Both suspects were charged with alleged unauthorized practice of profession, with Zhao facing an additional charge of alleged prostitution, authorities said. They both appeared in First District Court in Hempstead Oct. 6.

Parlors such as these seem to be popping up everywhere, Meittinis said, and she hates seeing them in communities.

“Let’s face it, look at the type of people that are in that shopping center,” she said. “Elderly people shop there, moms, kids coming into town to go to the pizza place or ice cream place, it’s not OK.”

In a statement, Steve Rhoads, a longtime member of the county legislature serving in the 19th district, who is running against Democratic State Sen. John Brooks for the newly mapped 5th State Senate district, said that Nassau County’s zero-tolerance policy against this type of lewd behavior will continue to be heavily enforced.

“I will continue working with community groups, local leaders and law enforcement to battle the growing pandemic of lawlessness affecting our communities and quality of life,” Rhoads said.

Brooks, who has served as a state senator since 2017, representing numerous towns in both Nassau and Suffolk counties wrote in a statement that he was “disheartened” to learn about these types of places.

“When you establish a business anywhere, you agree to uphold the values and laws of the community that you serve,” he said. “Through these careless and illegal activities, these businesses have shown that they do not share the values and beliefs of our Long Island.”

Meittinis said community members should never be afraid to report anything that they find suspicious.

“You can’t accuse anybody until you really know,” she said. “But you can always let somebody know, or call the police department. If you see something, say something.”

Anyone with information on any more illegal activities is urged to contact the Nassau County Police Department at (516) 573-8800. All calls are confidential.

Additional reporting by Michael Malaszczyk.