By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR The Police Department plans on rubbing out illegal massage parlors via the business route to combat criminal activity and protect legitimate massage establishments.
The Police Department proposed a new ordinance to the Township Council on June 11, that would require all massage oriented businesses to adhere to additional and more rigorous business regulations, which would make it harder for illegal places to crop up and stay open.
West Windsor, like many towns in the metropolitan area, continues to suffer from prostitution and other illegal activities that spring up in neighborhoods under the guise of massage therapy businesses.
Traditionally, the police have had to use criminal investigation, using expensive and time-consuming methods to combat the crime. Lt. Brian Melnick explained that hiring other officers to go undercover may take six months just to get a search warrant and when parlors shut down, they often reopen a mere two days later.
The police believe regulating these places from a business perspective would be more effective than dealing with them in criminal court.
The proposed ordinance would require every massage business in West Windsor to be registered through the clerk’s office. Employees would have to complete a proper identification process by undergoing background and criminal history checks. They would also have to possess certification, prove they were legal citizens, undergo first aid training and get fingerprinted.
All businesses found in violation of the ordinance would be fined until they met the law’s requirements.
”We know we won’t stop prostitution, but the idea is that we would become such a nuisance to people illegally conducting prostitution that they would leave,” said Lt. Melnick. “This ordinance makes someone accountable for the business by fining them on a daily basis, we can evict them through civil process.”
The ordinance would also allow the town to conduct health inspections. Similar to regulations for a beauty parlor, it would also require the businesses to showcase their certifications and a description of their services and prices inside the building.
The police appeared confident the ordinance would not make it any more difficult for legal massage therapy businesses.
”I’ve spoken to legitimate massage therapists that are behind this ordinance 100 percent because these illegal parlors give them a black eye,” said Lt. Melnick. “Theirs is a legitimate profession and there is a good health-promoting reason to go to massage therapy, so this ordinance protects them, too.”
Lt.. Melnick said the department has received a myriad of complaints since 2002 about illegal massage parlors ranging from nuisance issues from residents and neighboring businesses to complaints from spouses who have suffered strained marriages and sexually transmitted diseases as a result of a partner making nightly parlor visits.
By moving toward a zero tolerance position, the police hope to keep residents safer by eliminating the criminal activity associated with these prostitution businesses.
”I doubt anyone here wants to be the house next door to these places. The sole intent is to drive out illegal activity and promote legal activity,” said Lt. Melnick. “This is a tool that would improve the health and quality of life for West Windsor citizens.”
The proposal received unanimous support from the Township Council, which agreed to evaluate the ordinance and formally introduce it at the June 25 council meeting.
”It’s important this illegal and undesirable activity has to stop it has to be stamped out,” said Councilwoman Linda Geevers. “Whatever it takes, we have to get rid of it and eliminate it from the community.”

