Crime & Safety

2 Pasco Strip Clubs Face Multiple Citations, Fines

Inspectors found violations of the county's anti-human trafficking ordinance during routine business checks at two adult clubs.

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Two Pasco County adult entertainment businesses face fines and numerous code violations after the Human Trafficking Taskforce conducted routine checks on Tuesday.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the task force’s goal is to conduct such checks at “all 17 registered (and some not registered) adult entertainment businesses.” The taskforce includes corporals from the sheriff’s office, members of the county’s building and code enforcement departments, and the county’s fire investigator.

The first two businesses on the list of 17 were visited by taskforce members on Jan. 10. The results of the inspections were as follows:

Find out what's happening in New Port Richeyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Desire Gentlemen’s Club, 3935 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey

  • Code enforcement violations – 8
  • Building department violations – 15
  • Fire violations – 18

A total of $829 in citations were issued along with a mandatory order to appear in court.

Find out what's happening in New Port Richeyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Brass Flamingo, 9034 U.S. 19, Port Richey

  • Code enforcement violations – 6
  • Building department violations – 3
  • Fire violations – 10

The business was issued $1,079 in citations along with an order for a mandatory court appearance.

Some of the violations found pertained to the county’s new human traffic ordinance that “mandates that all adult establishments must have signage on the bathroom doors of every female bathroom and the dressing rooms,” the sheriff’s office wrote in an email to media. “These signs offer phone numbers and resources to people who feel like they might be victims of human trafficking.” County law requires the signs to be written in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

The taskforce intends to visit all 17 establishments during January, which happens to be Human Trafficking Month.

Image via Shutterstock

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.