Stripper tells commissioners ordinance harmful to dancers

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002 | 9:34 a.m.

Permitting tippers to stuff dollar bills in strippers' G-strings is a weak compromise on a bevy of lap dancing restrictions the Clark County Commission approved last summer, dancer Andrea Hackett told commissioners Tuesday.

Other portions of the ordinance were far more harmful to dancers' income, the slim, dark-haired stripper said.

Commissioners overturned the rule prohibiting G-string tipping. However, they left intact rules that strippers cannot come in contact with patrons' feet and a law that no longer allows dancers under 21 years old to work in clubs that serve alcohol.

Metro Police contend customers fondling strippers' genitals is a problem.

"I have talked to dancers across the country and have yet to run into a dancer who has had a foot problem," Hackett said. "The whole idea of staying away from a customer's feet makes me wonder who writes this stuff."

The purpose of more stringent lap dancing regulations is to curb acts that may lead to prostitution.

The age restriction was written into the county ordinance even though it already is a state law. The attorney general's office issued an opinion reiterating the state law last week.

Metro detectives said the underage law became a forgotten rule when young dancers were allowed to perform in topless revues on the Las Vegas Strip two decades ago. Over the years strippers in topless shows began working in cabarets.

"No one really paid attention until the new ordinance became an issue," Metro Detective Pat Neville said. "Everything is way more out of control (in strip clubs)."

Hackett told the board the age restriction put thousands of strippers out of work. Metro officials estimated about 300 dancers lost their jobs because they are underage.