Regulations
The best way your town can protect itself from porn shops and strip clubs is to put strong, constitutionally sound regulations in place before such businesses arrive. These sexually oriented businesses, or SOBs as they are often called, have a legal right to exist, but the Supreme Court has ruled that communities may protect themselves from negative secondary effects of SOBs which can include lower property values, increased crime and urban blight. However, even if these shops have already moved in, citizens can still band together to enact protections.
Communities are legally allowed to develop time, manner, and place restrictions. They can determine hours of operation to reduce the crime that often happens late at night. "Manner" restrictions could prohibit convicted felons to own or work in SOBs, or require that porn shops may not have doors on porn viewing booths. Restrictions for strip clubs can include a "no touch" rule between performers and patrons or that alcohol cannot be served if full nudity is allowed. Sex businesses may be prohibited from locating within a certain distance from parks, schools, churches, residential areas or any other place where children gather.
It's important to enlist the help of a trained attorney to ensure local laws will survive legal challenge. Laws cannot be so restrictive to close a community off completely. However, almost any regulation is enough to convince such businesses to locate elsewhere.
Law Enforcement
Towns where sexually oriented businesses exist may feel helpless. Don't despair! In addition to strong time, manner, and place regulations, communities need to make sure all applicable laws are consistently and effectively enforced.
Many towns have local laws or come under the protection of state statutes against selling obscene material or prostitution. Also, much of what is sold in porn shops may be obscene (i.e. illegal) according to the standards of an individual community. Further, these businesses are often in violation of local building codes due to poor lighting and health codes because of sexual activity occurring in viewing booths. Convictions for violating these laws may put a business out of place or make it more difficult to operate.
Police departments and district attorneys may be reluctant to investigate and prosecute these businesses unless they know that such actions are a priority in your community. You need to communicate your concerns clearly, consistently, and respectfully in order to form the positive working relationships necessary to keep your community clean.
