RESIDENTS IN a number of upper St Andrew neighbourhoods have been seeking the urgent assistance of the police to shut down several sex shops that have invaded their communities, "carrying property values down".
Assistant Superintendent of Police Wayne Cameron of the St Andrew Central police confirms that massage parlours or sex shops, are on the rise in the Corporate Area and that the police is currently investigating a number of them.
Personnel at the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) have confirmed receiving complaints from residents, and a meeting has been convened to discuss the issue of sex shops in residential areas, and how to best address the phenomenon. The KSAC's job is, however, challenging as these "houses of pleasure" are ensconced in high-end residential areas and it's not easy to single them out.
Hefty rent
According to the police, operators of massage parlours have been shelling out hefty sums to rent or lease these homes. "They rent because when they are locked down (by the authorities), its easier for them to set up business elsewhere.They are all over the place," the assistant commissioner tells The Sunday Gleaner, outlining some of the locales, including Havendale, Norbrook, Constant Spring and Molynes Road.
Commenting on the impact of these shops on the real estate sector, Realtor Valerie Levy says, "It's disgraceful and should not be allowed. It will bring down property values, absolutely!"
Noting that she had lost one sale in recent times because of related reasons, she cautions would-be buyers: "You should not only look at a house during weekends. Visit on weekdays as well to see what is going on. These massage parlours are described as health shops, but there are other things going on. They will cause residential areas to change," advises Levy, who is past president of the Realtors Association of Jamaica. She adds that the day and night activity of sex shops also presents a security risk to normal residents.
A source from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) says massage parlours are - on the face it - legitimate business ventures for which one can be granted a licence to operate in a residential area.
Abetting prostitution
However, the CCN source points out that if transactions, including sex in exchange for money is proven, operators could be charged with aiding and abetting prostitution which is illegal in Jamaica. Those who operate without licences are fined according to the discretion of judges in local courts, with higher fines for habitual offenders.
In central St Andrew, one air-conditioned studio rents for $35,000 monthly and homes with more space may go for US$1,200 (approximately $86,000) monthly and more. But sex shop operators have no problem paying the exorbitant rent. They do not solicit commercial licences nor do they use signage. With the exception of security guards and dogs, and the unusual traffic of persons observed, they retain the residential façade.
The police are currently concerned about the involvement of minors in the operation of sex shops. "Our most recent concern is that there are underaged individuals who are employed. There is also another concern - showing pornographic material to juniors," Cameron discloses.
Pricey deals
SEX SHOPS, according to Assistant Superintendent Wayne Cameron, are mostly patronised by "men of means", whom he describes as "affluent and influential". They, therefore, have the means to pay for almost anything they ask for," he adds.
In one daily paper last week, The Sunday Gleaner counted 12 advertisements for sex shops with such captions as "rude, naughty, sexy girls". One said, "Welcome to naughty girls where all your fantasies become realities. Come in and enjoy being pampered by our lovely angels." Calls confirm that many were indeed offering sex for a price.
Men and women
Paying between $1,500 to $2,000 for 20 minutes of 'massaging', men and women patronise such pleasure palaces in Swallowfield, Gore Terrace, Dumbarton and other residential enclaves, located within walking distance of many of Kingston's commercial districts. These shops also proliferate in the dormitory town of Portmore.
So-called vacation rentals within the central Kingston area also benefit from a brisk and lucrative trade from ladies who offer 'walking-out' services.
They employ between six and 12 women on a shift basis, 24 hours per day in safe areas, or closing late at nights in other areas which are considered less safe.
At one place in the Half-Way Tree area, a female Gleaner reporter was offered services costing $1,500 and up. The female provider added that oral sex was available for a negotiable cost.
Get extras
At another 'massage parlour', a male reporter was told. "You can pay extra to get extras, it all depends what you need," a woman offered. When told that the caller was a married man and required extreme confidentiality, the woman laughed and told him that he was more likely to talk than she was. You call me when you are ready," she said, stating that she would be on the job from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
At yet another parlour, our caller was told that all girls were light skin or fair skinned. All "parlours" stipulated that the use of condoms was an absolute must.
One resident in Constant Spring tells The Sunday Gleaner that the sex shop in her community had been there for more than eight years. "We know it is a sex shop from the way the place looks. They have security, and on the veranda they have partitions, so we can't see inside. Different men come there at odd times. They have security dogs too," she relates.
