Four people were arrested following an investigation into alleged “illicit sexual activities” at Ocean Spa Massage Parlour in Kearny Mesa, San Diego authorities said.
Prostitution has long been a problem in San Diego and the surrounding areas,(Representative Image/Unsplash)
After receiving multiple complaints from nearby businesses and locals about the Ocean Spa Massage Parlour, police said they launched an investigation into the matter. Police received complaints about everything from “sexual noises” disrupting a church service to people seeing individuals engaging in sexual activity in cars. CBS8 reported that a youth Bible study group was previously situated next to the parlour.
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Police investigate Ocean Spa Massage Parlour
Last year, police spent over 125 hours probing the massage parlour, which led to instances where undercover officers were offered sex at least four times. Police also discovered around 1,270 online advertisements for sex at the parlour.
While the city pursued legal action to shut down the parlour, police held four people for prostitution.
The City Attorney’s Office is imposing more than $100,000 in civil penalties as well as reimbursement for legal fees and costs associated with law enforcement.
“The owners of Ocean Spa have been masquerading as a legitimate business for far too long,” City Attorney Mara Elliott stated in the press release. “Ocean Spa is a sex shop – not a massage parlour – and it has no place in our community or anywhere else. We look forward to holding these perpetrators accountable and to restoring peace in this complex.”
Also Read: Former Donald Trump aide, Walt Nauta accused of sexual misconduct
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Although prostitution and massage parlours promoting sex have “always been pretty common,” a local San Diego business owner who talked to Fox News Digital under the condition of anonymity said that SB 357 emboldened pimps and prostitutes. The proprietor of the business is roughly 20 minutes away from the massage parlour, where sex workers in skimpy attire blatantly stroll the streets in search of men.
“It’s always been pretty common with massage parlours to offer more than massages,” said the business owner, “but with [SB] 357 the whole industry is emboldened because they know nothing will happen.”
Prostitution surges in San Diego
Prostitution has long been a problem in San Diego and the surrounding areas, but some residents claim the situation has gotten worse when a rule was repealed in 2022 that made it illegal to loiter with the intention of engaging in prostitution.
“While I agree with the author’s intent, and I am signing this legislation, we must be cautious about its implementation,” Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said when he signed the law.
“My administration will monitor crime and prosecution trends for any possible unintended consequences and will act to mitigate any such impacts.”
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Numerous reports of prostitutes walking the streets in skimpy attire during the day have been reported in other parts of California. For example, in Oakland last year, pimps were allegedly stationing prostitutes outside a Catholic elementary school. In the Mission District of San Francisco, a road was lined with pimps and prostitutes during the winter.
Members of UAW 4811, which represents about 48,000 graduate students and academic workers across the UC system, voted last week to authorize a rolling strike in response to the university system’s recent handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campuses.
Union members are alleging their rights have been violated in the crackdowns on pro-Palestinian protests on campuses. But UC officials maintain the strike would be unlawful because it would violate the existing contract with the union, and have warned that anyone who participates will face repercussions.
A big case goes before the California Supreme Court on Tuesday that could affect more than a million gig workers in the state.
Four years ago, voters approved Proposition 22, a ballot measure sponsored by Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart that allowed the companies to continue treating their ride-hailing drivers and delivery workers as independent contractors. Proposition 22 was the industry’s response to Assembly Bill 5, a state law that codified a state Supreme Court decision that would have required the companies to classify those workers as employees.
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Treating gig workers as independent contractors is central to the business model of the California-based companies, the middlemen who gave rise to the on-demand, app-based gig economy that has permeated our culture. The companies are fighting to hang on to that model, saying it helps them provide gig workers with flexible schedules. Critics say it lets the companies avoid paying employment taxes and shift financial responsibility to their workers and customers, plus governments.
The state Republican Party held its annual convention in the Bay Area over the weekend.
Among the topics – protecting a handful of competitive seats in the House of Representatives this fall. In 2022, Republicans won a handful of closely contested congressional seats that helped the party win control of the House.
Meanwhile, leaders with the California Democratic Party endorsed a number of measures that could appear on the November ballot.
Elder (1-2) took the loss Sunday against the Padres, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and three walks while striking out three over three innings.
The Padres put up a quick three runs on Elder in the first inning, all with two outs, highlighted by a two-run blast by Jake Cronenworth. Elder held them scoreless for the next two frames but ran into more issues in the fourth, allowing four straight hits and three more runs to begin the inning before he got pulled. Sunday was the second time in his last three starts he’s failed to reach four innings, both of which he’s given up seven runs and walked at least three batters. For the year, Elder owns a troublesome 6.46 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB in 23.2 innings and currently lines up to face the Pirates his next time on the mound.
The Microblades, a local powerhouse trio featuring Giulietta Randell, Lauren Deerinck and Imogen Collis, were recently awarded the honor of Best Pop Song for “Cowboy” at the annual San Diego Music Awards ceremony at Humphrey’s by the Bay, according to a news release. In their humble acceptance speech, each girl thanked her parents and the news release stated that lead singer/songwriter Giulietta Randell also said “And thank you to our neighbors for not calling the ‘cops’ when we have band practice.”
Since receiving the award, the band has been flooded with offers to perform. The Del Mar Foundation will feature The Microblades at their annual Summer Twilight Concert Series at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar. The Microblades will be sponsored by Zel’s Restaurant as the opening act for the band Daring Greatly on Tuesday, June 25.
