Community
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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Camarillo Massage Establishment Compliance Checks
| Nature of Incident: | Camarillo Massage Establishment Compliance Checks | ||||
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| Location: | Various Locations in Camarillo | ||||
| Date & Time: | January 17th, 2024 | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Camarillo Code Compliance Division, Camarillo Police Department Community Resource Unit, Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force | ||||
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| Narrative: | |||||
| Massage Establishment Permits (MEP) were revoked for three Camarillo massage establishments following a compliance check by the Camarillo Code Compliance Division, Camarillo Police Department, and the Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force on January 17th, 2024. In April of 2023, the Camarillo City Council updated Camarillo’s municipal code regulating massage establishments in an effort to eliminate illegal activity and prevent human trafficking. Among other things, the updated ordinance allowed the City to revoke the Massage Establishment Permit for those businesses found to be violating provisions of the ordinance. Following the adoption of the ordinance in April of 2023, the Camarillo Code Compliance Division and Camarillo Police Department visited each massage establishment in Camarillo to educate them on the new ordinance. Property owners were provided with letters regarding the provisions of the new ordinance and business owners were provided with similar letters and guidance in person on exactly what is expected of their establishment to remain compliant with the ordinance. On January 17th, 2024, the Camarillo Police Department and Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force joined the Camarillo Code Compliance Division to conduct massage establishment compliance checks in Camarillo. The establishments were inspected due to resident complaints, a history of municipal code violations, and online investigations related to possibly providing commercial sex services. During compliance checks at three Camarillo massage establishments, investigators uncovered evidence of illicit activity, including activity that is in direct violation of Camarillo’s municipal ordinance regulating massage establishments. At one location, investigators discovered advertisements on illicit websites offering sexual services, sexually oriented items, adult sexual costumes, and evidence of residential use. At another location, investigators discovered evidence of residential use, lingerie and alcohol. At the third location, investigators found evidence of residential use, lingerie and sexually oriented items. As a result of the compliance checks, on January 22nd, 2024, all three massage establishments had their massage establishment permit revoked. Based on the revocation, the businesses were required to immediately cease conducting massage services. Additionally, no other person or other massage establishment will be allowed to operate from these locations for one year following the revocation, pursuant to Camarillo’s ordinance. “The recent update to Camarillo’s Massage Establishment Ordinance is integral to Camarillo’s efforts to deter illicit behavior and human trafficking in our city,” stated Camarillo Mayor Tony Trembley. “We are proud of the commitment and partnership of all involved to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.” The Camarillo Police Department and the City of Camarillo remain committed to preventing illicit activity, including human trafficking, from occurring at massage establishments in Camarillo. Any resident who suspects illicit activity at Camarillo massage establishments is encouraged to call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office at 805-654-9511, or call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). |
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| Prepared by: | Sergeant Thomas Miller | ||||
| News Release Date: | January 26th, 2024 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Camarillo Police Department Sergeant Thomas Miller (805) 947-9363 City of Camarillo Michelle Glueckert D’Anna (805) 388-5370 |
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| Approved by: |
Captain Jason Hendren |
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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511