Image via WikipediaBy SATARA WILLIAMS
Human trafficking is on the radar of many as illicit massage establishments continue to thrive along F.M. 1960.“Illegal massage parlors are masquerading as legitimate enterprises. Basically it’s a front in lined with the industry under the state law,” Precinct 4 Constable Ron Hickman said. “Our experience in the past 18 months is that they are in lined with human trafficking.”
In a span of 18 months, 186 massage establishment inspections have been carried out based on citizen complaints of 35 percent, according to the Regulatory Enforcement Division.
Of those investigated, the Regulatory Enforcement Division found only 44 massage parlors with licenses and a whooping 142 establishments without the proper permits.
“It’s an international issue and a domestic issue,” Congressman Ted Poe (Dist. 2) said. “The United States should be the leader in combating trafficking because we’re the world leader in international human rights. That’s who we are.”
It can be tricky catching the individuals when they are not in the act. Many claim to be a masseuse; however, it can be quickly discerned that other matters are of concern.
“You can tell by how they are dressed that they have other interests. You don’t wear bra, panties, bikinis or nothing at all to give a massage,” Hickman said. “So you can tell from the outward appearances that they’re not there for therapeutic value.
Whether or not the girls are actually victims or willing participants remains up for discussion. Some believe that the women are indentured servants paying off their debts while others attest that they are young girls who were robbed of their choice in the matter long ago.
Poe recently brought his concerns on domestic minor trafficking to the attention of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.
“Traffickers pick children from bad family situations or orphans. Once they are forced into trafficking they find there’s no way to get out. In many ways there is no way for them to get out unless we intervene,” he said.
Both Poe and Hickman agree that Houston is one of the major hubs of human trafficking in the United States and cite the size, population of 4 million and the fact that it is an international city as commodities.
However, F.M. 1960 seems to be particularly crammed with illegal massage establishments. If you ever find yourself driving down the roadway and wonder why the area has so many parlors, be aware that it is not a coincidence.
“It’s about location, location, location. They get visibility and the area is outside of Houston ordinances so those don’t apply. It all plays into that,” Hickman said.
When not caught in illicit behavior, illegal massage parlors can be charged for lack of a therapist or establishment license. However, some pay the fines, which can range up to $200, and simply move to another location.
It’s a tricky business with one group owning the business and another that is in charge of providing the female workers, according to Hickman.
Law enforcement on the local and federal level continue to look for ways to combat the problem with suggestions of new legislation and solutions with long-term effects.
In the meantime, obstacles continue to linger regarding the issue.
“The challenge is there not being an end,” Hickman said. “We may go five of six times but we don’t have the legal tool to make them close down.”
Want to know more?
The Regulatory Enforcement Division was created by Constable Ron Hickman in order to monitor and investigate local businesses for illegal activity. The four most recent establishments to have charges filed against them were massage parlors located on F.M. 1960. Here are some of the unit’s additional findings:*
:TOTAL ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS DURING THIS TIME PERIOD: 186
:TOTAL NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS BASED ON CITIZEN COMPLAINTS: 65 (35 %)
:TOTAL NUMBER OF RANDOM INSPECTIONS: 121 (65 %)
:TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS : 44 (24 %)
:TOTAL NUMBER OF UNLICENSED MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS: 142 (76 %)
:TOTAL NUMBER OF THERAPISTS HANDLED: 518
:AVERAGE NUMBER OF THERAPISTS AT EACH LOCATION: 3
:TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPISTS: 82 (16 %)
:TOTAL NUMBER OF UNLICENSED MASSAGE THERAPISTS: 436 (84 %) :TOTAL NUMBER OF CHARGES FILED: 420
:AVERAGE NUMBER OF CHARGES PER ACTION: 2
*Information gathered from www.cd4.hctx.net*
Officials bring the issue of human trafficking to the forefront > Champions Sun > News Archives > Houston Community Newspapers Online - News Around Town
Source: Champions Sun News
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