Police Chief says other towns are finding that more and more massage parlors are operating as fronts for prostitution.
By: Melissa Edmond
Township officials are working on updating local laws to give police and health officials new tools to use in regulating massage parlors.
The steps are being taken based on the request of Police Chief Robert Gazaway, who noted other communities have discovered more and more massage parlors operating as fronts for prostitution.
He said such a business would prove difficult to prosecute should it open in Hillsborough.
"By instituting an ordinance, it will enable us to have control over all the massage parlors in town," said Chief Gazaway.
At the Nov. 22 Township Committee meeting, Chief Gazaway suggested the Township Committee create an ordinance to help regulate any massage businesses in Hillsborough.
He said that the Police Department and Health Department were working together to determine which one should be in control of checking on the businesses.
In a phone interview last week, Chief Gazaway said he brought the need for regulation to the Township Committee because of the illegal massage operations that were found in other towns, including Manville and Springfield.
"Probably sometime in January or February we’ll … bring our findings back to the Township Committee," said Chief Gazaway, noting the ordinance could place jurisdiction for the businesses with either the Health Department or Police Department.
Recently, four massage parlors were closed in Springfield when the establishments failed to obtain the necessary permits to operate, but recently enacted laws there may help Springfield officials close more.
According to Springfield Township Administrator Ed Fanning, officials were able to shut down the parlors on Dec. 8 and are investigating seven other similar operations based the on regulations that took effect in Springfield on Nov. 21.
Mr. Fanning said that under Springfield’s new township regulations, massage parlor employees must submit to a criminal background check, be fingerprinted, and have their photographs placed on file with the town. Those who perform massage must produce proof of having at least 200 hours of training.
"This situation is not unique to Springfield. This is a concern throughout the state," said Mr. Fanning.
"There has been a fair amount of activity in regulating massage parlors for the past few years. It’s not a new issue," said Deborah Kole, staff attorney for the New Jersey League of Municipalities, pointing out that many municipalities have these types of ordinances.
"I think there may well be two purposes for these ordinances. The straight-forward aspect is to protect the health and welfare of the citizens," she said. "This would also be a good way to ensure that these places aren’t sexually oriented by requiring certain standards."
She said some of the ordinances have required massage therapists to be licensed.
"If you have someone who is licensed, then you’re going to have someone who is a legitimate, trained massage therapist."
"It’s something we need to take a look at I think this is a good idea," Mayor Bob Wagner said after Chief Gazaway’s presentation.

