Tension Increasing for Local Massage Parlors?

Recent allegations of human trafficking at a South Tampa massage parlor have Hillsborough County Commissioners taking notice.

During its April 17 meeting, the board discussed creating local legislation that would limit the hours massage parlors can operate in the county. The law would also forbid parlors from letting employees live on site.

Commissioner Sandra Murman brought up the proposal, she said, to give law enforcement another tool in its arsenal to crack down on trafficking and prostitution both. She wants the county to consider an ordinance that’s similar to what the City of Tampa has already put on its books.

Florida alone is home to thousands of human trafficking victims, perhaps as many as 40,000, Murman said. Many of these victims, she added, are forced to work in massage parlors that stay open 24 hours a day and serve as fronts for prostitution.

The issue of human trafficking is one that has come to the forefront in the Tampa Bay area in recent years. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is a member agency on the Clearwater Tampa Bay Area Task Force on Human Trafficking. The multi-agency force investigates trafficking cases throughout the region.

The task force website says there are between 18,000 to 50,000 people trafficked into the United States each year, according to its website.

There have been a number of high profile cases in recent years, including the South Tampa investigation at Ocean Health Spa at 3631 Henderson Blvd.

A new law would not only provide a way for county deputies to clamp down on illegal activity, it could also help raise awareness about trafficking, Murman said.

“If we can educate the public – especially parents and school children – we’ll really make a difference on this human trafficking activity,” she said.

Murman’s request to have the county attorney’s office look into drafting a proposed ordinance was met with unanimous approval. It is unclear when the issue will come back before the board.

What do you think, Carrollwood and Northdale? Should the county put regulations on massage parlors?

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