After observing an uptick in crime associated with all nude strip clubs and adult video stores inside the Dallas city limits, city councilman Adam Bazaldua is advocating for those businesses to have limited hours. Currently, companies that fall under that particular umbrella do not have a limit on their hours of operation.
“The full nude strip clubs are where we have seen homicides pretty rampant. We’ve seen aggravated assaults. We’ve seen a lot of criminal activity that occurs in the parking lots,” Bazaldua said. “There is also data with our VICE unit to support the human trafficking and the sex work against a woman or man’s will at some of these video shops that exist.”
Bazaldua has already voiced his concerns with council peers with the hopes of shutting those businesses down between the hours of 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Bazaldua believes it would keep the public safe as well as help employees of the establishments.
Councilman Omar Narvaez has revealed he isn’t sure where he stands on the issue, as shared by WFAA.
“We cannot be targeting a business simply for our moral issues or what we think is an easy win in doing something as a city,” said Narvaez.
However, Bazaldua has explained that he isn’t targeting adult businesses for moral reasons but focusing on safety concerns regarding the public.
“I think sex work is work and I think a lot of the leaders of our city can agree to that,” he said. “This would be looking to add a layer of protection not only for people in the sex work industry but those who patronize them as well.”
Bazaldua plans to focus more on the topic with the council this December. Residents will also be allowed to voice their opinions as well.
