Spurred by arrests, Slidell council adopts massage parlor moratorium - NOLA.com

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Spurred by the recent arrests of four women on prostitution-related charges, the Slidell City Council this week took the first steps to possibly re-work massage parlor regulations.

The council on Tuesday (April 24) introduced an ordinance calling for a seven-month moratorium on permits for new massage parlors, and also adopted a companion resolution that imposed a temporary moratorium until the ordinance can formally be adopted next month.

The earliest the ordinance would be adopted is May 22, when the council has scheduled a public hearing on it.

The measures would not affect existing businesses, but prohibit new ones from opening.

The language in the adopted resolution essentially mirrors the proposed ordinance: It says the city is in the process of studying additional regulations for massage parlors, spas or salons and puts a moratorium in place until Nov. 30.

Earlier this month, four women were arrested on misdemeanor charges of prostitution by massage at three Slidell massage parlors, all of which remain open. The arrests were made after an undercover operation by Slidell police, along with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office and state Attorney General's Office.

Police think the arrests could signal a bigger problem. A police department spokesman, Detective Daniel Seuzeneau, said recently that the sting operation was initiated by complaints from neighbors who worried about possible illegal activity at some massage parlors.

In each instance, undercover agents were offered illegal activities.

"We were four for four," Seuzeneau said. "Nobody passed the legal activity test. It's pretty apparent what's going on."

The council introduced the ordinance and adopted the resolution as part of its consent agenda, meaning there was no public debate on either measure Tuesday night.

Councilwoman Kim Harbison said "legitimate" massage businesses will be brought into the council's discussions about new regulations.

"We'll be talking with some of the legitimate ones during the process to formulate some regulations to keep the illegitimate ones out," she said.

Following the council's meeting, Tim Mathison, Slidell Mayor Freddy Drennan's chief of staff, said there are currently no new massage parlors in the permitting pipeline.

But, he said, the government wants the moratorium while it looks at ways to tighten regulations. Asked by reporters if there were "a lot" of complaints stemming from massage parlors, Mathison responded, "I wouldn't say a lot, but enough to raise concern."

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune has not named the women arrested because they were booked on misdemeanor charges. Efforts to get comment from the businesses where they worked -- Relax Therapy Massage, Super Relax Massage, and To the Moon and Back Massage -- were not successful Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mathison, Drennan and Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said the investigation into the three massage parlors where the arrests occurred continues. Pressed about possible human trafficking connections, Fandal declined to discuss specifics but added, "It's on our radar."

He said in order for the city to shut down the parlors where any offenses are alleged to have occurred, a level of proof must be established, much like it would be required before yanking a bar's permits over alcohol-related problems.

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