City council in Thurston County votes to prevent massage businesses from offering questionable services - Centralia Chronicle

[By Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS)]

By Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS)

The Lacey City Council wasted little time on Tuesday, spending all of three minutes to strengthen the rules regarding massage and reflexology businesses.

They voted unanimously in response to a recent and sobering presentation by Lacey Police Chief Robert Almada, who explained that over the past year, the city had received a number of complaints about some of these businesses.

Those concerns were outlined again in Tuesday’s meeting agenda.

“Community members reported unconventional tipping requirements, female massage practitioners dressed in lingerie, massage and reflexology businesses being utilized to house employees, female customers being denied services, and general concerns of prostitution and human trafficking,” the agenda reads.

In one situation police investigated, they found an employee dressed in lingerie. They continued to investigate and found at least seven locations that appear to be associated with potential prostitution and human trafficking, The Olympian reported.

City Attorney Dave Schneider explained that the new amendments to the ordinance do three things:

• They support the legitimate delivery of licensed massage and reflexology services.

• They seek to prevent unlicensed individuals and/or businesses from providing (illegal) services.

• The amendments work to deter criminal conduct and criminal activity that can be associated with the unlicensed practice in these sorts of services.

“Overall, the amendments are going to provide the city with a better tool to ensure that massage/reflexology businesses are operating properly and with transparency,” Schneider said.

Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller and Council Member Nic Dunning shared some thoughts before the vote.

“I think it’s going to give the police department some teeth in this matter,” said Miller.

Dunning said he had heard from a lot of residents.

“I would say I’ve probably got more messages about this than anything over the entire course of the year from people who just heard and were shocked that this stuff even goes on,” he said. “So they’re all very supportive of this, and I think it’ll be good for us.”

Chief Almada said it was the right move for the city.

“I do believe it’s the best step forward, and I appreciate your consideration on this proposal,” he said.