Santa Rosa officials and police highlighted significant progress in cracking down on illicit massage businesses during a public safety meeting Tuesday, including efforts to address suspected trafficking and a proposed overhaul of outdated city ordinances that may have allowed illicit activity to flourish.
Officials anticipate a draft of the new regulations by the end of the year. The updated statute, to include added restrictions and enforcement, is expected to go before the planning commission and City Council early next year.
While details of that operation haven't been released , Santa Rosa police on Tuesday provided more information about their surveillance of other illicit massage parlors in the city.
None of the people were cited, but police said the customers were provided educational resources on commercial sex crimes and human trafficking.
"If you're somebody that frequents massage parlors to participate in sexual acts for money, know that you're likely to be contributing to trafficking," said Lisa Diaz-McQuaid, human trafficking caseworker for Verity. "You might think it's harmless. It's really not."
Cregan said at Tuesday's meeting that investigators will continue monitoring suspected illicit massage businesses and their patrons. They are also targeting business owners who "clearly are promoting commercial sex trafficking."
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