A Queens pol is cracking down on the “Market of Sweethearts” in his district by introducing a bill that would authorize the city to inspect brothels camouflaging themselves as massage parlors.
Democratic Councilman Francisco Moya, who represents the neighborhood of Corona, said he is crafting legislation that will task the city Health Department to conduct random inspections of massage parlors, following The Post’s expose of the community’s sex-plagued stretch of Roosevelt Avenue.
“Prostitution remains a concern in our district, now even more prominently in broad daylight,” he said, adding, “We’re flooded with complaints daily, with reports from schools, concerned parents, residents, and local business owners.”
Under the proposed legislation, Health Department officials would check the businesses’ sanitary conditions and employees’ licenses, similar to a restaurant inspection, but also look for any signs of human trafficking.
The multiagency Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement task force currently addresses complaints about illicit or unregulated businesses, and the Buildings Department can inspect and penalize massage parlors for violating city zoning laws by having therapists operating without a license.
Moya’s upcoming legislation would task the Health Department with inspecting massage parlors for sanitary conditions and employees’ licenses, along with signs of human trafficking. J.C. Rice“While we know this won’t end prostitution, our goal is to reduce activities that threaten the health and safety of our entire community,” he said.
Sonia Ossorio, president of NOW-NYC, cheered on the type of legislation Moya is proposing as “smart and effective,” but noted more will need to be done to quash the sex trade operations plaguing the city.
“It is going to take a massive, coordinated response to ensure that New York City does not become the United States sex trade capital,” she said.
Under the proposed legislation, Health Department officials would check the businesses’ sanitary conditions, employees’ licenses, and look for any signs of human trafficking. J.C. Rice“This is an important step forward, but we need City Hall, NYPD, and district attorneys to take immediate action…to send a strong message to sex buyers who fuel demand and the pimps who make a business out of sexual exploitation.”
Spokespeople for the Health Department and Mayor’s Office said that they will review the legislation when it is shared.
