James wants restrictions on private nude dancers, escort services

Larry Henry

Wednesday, May 28, 1997 | 10:48 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Sen. Mark James said he'll push for a state law banning out-call dancers who advertise in 207 pages of the Las Vegas phone book under such titles as Exotic Young Girls, Hot Babes and Co-ed Cuties.

James said the services, which provide personal entertainers for hotel guests and private residences, are a front for prostitution.

"I finally got sick of it," James, R-Las Vegas, said of the billboards, cabs signs and phone book ads for the services.

Earlier this session, James introduced Senate Bill 392 to outlaw explicit advertising within 1,500 feet schools, churches and neighborhoods. But during a Judiciary Committee hearing on the bill Tuesday, Sen. Ernie Adler, D-Carson City, said SB 392 "skirts" the real issue -- cracking down on out-call services.

The city of Reno recently passed an ordinance banning out-call dancers in hotel rooms but allowing them at private residences. Prostitution is unlawful in Las Vegas and Reno, but legal at brothels in some counties.

A legislative lawyer agreed that advertising is difficult to control if a profession such as out-call entertainment isn't banned.

"If the activity is legal, then the advertising does have some First Amendment protection," said attorney Kevin Powers.

During the hearing, James said he wanted to give counties the option to prohibit the services or to charge them a $20,000 business license fee local governments can use to hire more police officers.

But moments after the meeting convened, James said he'll try to amend SB 392 so that the service becomes a statewide crime.

"I want an outright ban," said James, who is also sponsoring other sex-crime legislation, including a measure to chemically castrate child molesters.

Metro Police officers support James' focus on out-call services.

Lt. Carlos Cordiero, of Metro's vice unit, said private entertainers charge a base price of up to $150, but because that fee goes to the business owner, the dancers often charge as much as $1,000 more in "tips."

"Every single out-call dancer that comes up to a room will solicit for prostitution," Cordiero said. "The owners are high-level pimps."

But with only 16 officers in the vice squad, and six more being hired in May, enforcement is difficult, Cordiero said.

The number of out-call services in Las Vegas increased from 52 in 1993 to 206 this year, he said, yet prostitution arrests fell from a five-year high of 213 in 1994 to 63.

George Flint, lobbyist for the Nevada Brothel Owner's Association, said casinos are part of the reason why illegal prostitution flourishes.

"Without exception, if you know the right person to talk to ... there is some degree of tolerance," said Flint.

Sen. Jon Porter, R-Boulder City, who serves on the committee, said the Nevada Resort Association should encourage casinos to remove offensive billboards that advertise showroom entertainment.

"The NRA needs to look within at some of its advertising," Porter said.

Casino lobbyist Harvey Whittemore didn't attend the hearing but said afterward that casino signs don't fall within the bill's definition of explicit. He would not respond to Flint's accusations.

In other action Tuesday, the committee passed two Assembly bills that move to the full Senate for a vote:

* AB 336 bans cartoon videos -- and now computer software --depicting sex and violence.

* AB 382 increases the penalty against pimps who offer children as sexual partners.