Henderson adjusts its municipal code to crack down on massage businesses

The Henderson City Council voted 4-0 Dec. 6 to update its municipal code to target massage businesses and reflexology establishments caught soliciting prostitution.

"This is definitely a step in the right direction," said Councilwoman Kathleen Vermillion, who acted as mayor pro tem while Mayor Andy Hafen was out.

The two ordinances passed amend chapters 4.84 and 4.85 of the Henderson Municipal Code. Bud Cranor, a spokesman with the city of Henderson, said the city had been looking at an update targeting these establishments for about a year.

One complaint, Cranor said, was from a family that went to an ice cream shop near a massage business.

"The family said they could clearly see illicit activity," Cranor said.

Todd Rasmussen, a Henderson police officer, said the department received a tip from Crime Stoppers of Nevada that there was "inappropriate activity" happening at massage establishments that should be investigated.

"We found criminal activity," Rasmussen said. "Because it is an open investigation, I can't comment on the official charges."

City officials said examples of illicit activity include prostitution. Rasmussen added that if an officer suspects human trafficking, in which the worker is forced to solicit sex, the situation also is reported to federal authorities.

"But I don't know if there are any specific examples when that has happened," Rasmussen said.

After reaching out to police, the city realized it needed to update its code.

Kathy Blaha, a spokeswoman with the city, said the biggest change in the language says it is unlawful to engage or solicit sexual activity. In the past, if the establishments had an incident in which the person giving the massage was caught engaging in or soliciting prostitution, only that person was held accountable.

The amendment to the code also holds the business owner accountable.

The second agenda item introduced, Cranor said, was an administration review process. This ordinance, which was developed for massage establishments but applies to other business licenses, sets up a review manager position.

"Ultimately, this individual has the ability to revoke or suspend a license and make the determination if that business violated its use permit," Cranor said.

Cranor added that the ordinance is being reviewed by the city attorney's office to adjust the language.

Cranor said there are 76 spa-like establishments in Henderson, 43 of which might fall under suspicious activity. He said there are night-and-day differences between the establishments that are complying with the ordinances, such as Massage Envy or the spa at Green Valley Ranch Resort, and the businesses that don't.

"The establishments (that are complying) are willing to work with us and asking for ways to better improve," Cranor said.

Other establishments, Cranor said, have tried to lock the doors so code enforcement officers could not come in.

Once the language of the final code is adjusted, Cranor said, the city will continue to do its enforcement but will be better equipped to handle criminal activities, such as prostitution, as well as code violators and businesses that abuse their use permit.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.