6/2/2005
Media Contact:
Monica Whitfield Brase, [317] 327-3690
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-6709 |
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City begins enforcing ordinance regulating adult entertainment businesses
Recent court decision clears way for city to limit business hours for adult video and bookstores and set other restrictions on operation
INDIANAPOLIS - The City of Indianapolis today will begin enforcing an ordinance that regulates the activities and hours of operation of adult entertainment businesses, Mayor Bart Peterson said today. A federal district court ruled in April that the law -- proposed by the Mayor and passed by the City-County Council in September 2003 -- is constitutional and may be enforced.
Enforcement begins today because the city provided 60-days from the date of the court ruling for businesses to comply with the ordinance.
"Our priority is protecting families and children from the negative impacts of adult entertainment businesses and promoting safe, healthy neighborhoods," said Mayor Peterson. "This ordinance will help put a stop to the illegal and illicit activity that occurs on a regular basis at some of these businesses."
The new law will:
Place tighter restrictions to prohibit illegal conduct. Some adult businesses feature booths or stalls where illegal, illicit activities can occur. According to health officials, such activities are unsafe and can lead to the spread of disease. The ordinance change bans doors on viewing booths and requires managers to have a direct line of sight into the booths and have proper lighting.
Reduce harmful effects of adult businesses. Neighborhoods have long expressed concerns about the negative effects adult entertainment establishments can have on nearby residences and businesses. Studies have shown that adult businesses often attract criminal activity - especially sex related crimes. Oftentimes, adult businesses operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and have crowds of patrons at all times of the night and morning, which sets the stage for illicit and criminal activity to take place. The ordinance now requires adult businesses to be closed between midnight and 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays.
Adult businesses operating in violation of the ordinance could face court-ordered fines of up to $2,500 per violation, per day and run the risk of having their license, which is issued by the city controller, revoked.
The state Tobacco and Alcohol Commission regulates establishments with liquor licenses, which are not affected by this ordinance.
Peterson has made code enforcement and improving neighborhood quality of life a priority for his administration. Just last week, the city won a major victory in court to shut down an illegal sex club operating on the city's west side. In 2002, Mayor Peterson worked with the City-County Council to pass an emergency ordinance to tighten zoning requirements to prevent the potential development of an adult business downtown. That same year the city shut down two lingerie stores that were operating as illegal adult entertainment businesses.
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