Hackensack ordinance aims to keep illicit massage parlors out, legitimate spas in -...

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An inside look at the current issues facing Hackensack, NJ. Michael V. Pettigano

Hackensack police(Photo: File photo)


HACKENSACK — The city will use a new enforcement agent in the fight against illicit massage parlors: the health inspector.

An ordinance that institutes strict health standards at massage therapy businesses was approved by the City Council Tuesday night. The goal is to invite legitimate massage therapy businesses that would be willing to adhere to health standards and to deter illicit massage parlors that would be hard pressed to provide items like signed client lists.

"We just want to avoid any issues in the future," said Susan McVeigh, the city's health director. "We thought it was important to have them registered and to know who's here and to know who's coming and going."

The ordinance includes health regulations such as requiring sterilization plans and up to date employee lists. The ordinance also includes the requirement to keep thorough client records for every client that gets a massage, complete with client signature.

Honing in on fighting prostitution, the ordinance also lays out rules like the covering of genitalia during massages and prohibiting even the offer of fondling a client's genitalia. It also prohibits sleeping quarters in massage establishments and restricts hours of operation to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

In order to open a massage business, owners and all employees must also pass a criminal background check conducted by the Hackensack Police department.

As part of the city's development push, officials welcome service-oriented businesses like spas and restaurants that would entertain the expected more than 3,000 new residents. Currently, there are only two licensed massage businesses in the city, according to state consumer affairs data. In Bergen County, there are 66 licensed massage businesses.

As the city's health director, McVeigh has the authority to send health inspectors unannounced to any massage parlors for their annual inspections, just like if it were a restaurant or daycare. If even one of the ordinance's regulations are violated, a health inspector can revoke the businesses' license.

The ordinance is modeled after similar legislation from towns like Wayne and Paramus. Both towns had a history of massage parlors being used as fronts for prostitution.

Traditionally, enforcement consists of sending in an undercover officer to get a massage and, if the officer is solicited, arrest the employee that offered sexual services. The tactic often results in several employee arrests and a temporary shuttering of the parlor, but not much else. Many parlors would reopen weeks later.

Through the regulations listed in Wayne’s ordinance, one spa on Hamburg Turnpike failed several health inspections and finally relinquished its license shortly after.

Members of the Hackensack health and police departments and the city attorney worked together to create the ordinance as a preventative measure. Although Hackensack does not have a history of prostitution based out of massage parlors, many of its neighbors do.

Neighboring South Hackensack often has prostitution busts in motels along the Route 46 corridor. Last month, four people were arrested for prostitution in a Paterson massage parlor.

To that end, the Hackensack ordinance, which was first introduced more than a year ago, needed to be vetted thoroughly to avoid any "unsavory" conditions at massage establishment, Ted Ehrenburg, the city manager, said.

"We want to make sure that people are safe and the city is compliant," Ehrenburg said. "The last thing we want to do is create that environment in the city."

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