Fight growing over sex spas
Politicians jump on anti-massage parlour bandwagon
By TOM GODFREY, SUN MEDIA
26th October 2009
The chorus is growing for a city-wide crackdown on illegal massage parlours that are being run by organized crime and sprouting up everywhere.
City councillor Mike Del Grande — Scarborough Agincourt (Ward 39) — and MP Jim Karygiannis, who represents the riding of Scarborough Agincourt, have joined Toronto Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti in a fight against shady massage parlours they claim are plaguing all city residents.
“This is a problem across the city,” Del Grande said yesterday.
“They are very lucrative and are popping up everywhere.”
DelGrande said he knows of at least four round-the-clock sex dens in the area he represents.
Mammoliti on Saturday posted a note on the door of one Milvan Dr. spa, demanding that they leave his York West riding. He said there are about 3,000 of the illegal parlours in the city, with 90 in his riding alone.
“These places are posing a problem and it is only increasing,” added Del Grande. “From a citizen’s point of view, it is not clear what the police are doing to address this concern.”
He and Karygiannis are keeping a close eye on one spa that recently opened in the Pharmacy and McNicol Avenues’ area.
‘MASSAGE FOR MEN’
The spa’s website features scantily clad girls and lists their hobbies and shoe sizes. It offers “primarily a massage for men” and charges $40 for 30 minutes and $80 an hour.
Karygiannis cited another on Bamburgh Circle, where dozens of young women are being advertised for sex acts on Craigslist. The photos feature near-naked Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Taiwanese women with faces hidden.
He said the parlours are moving from glaring storefront suites to quiet residential apartment units to attract less attention.
“There is no doubt organized crime is involved in controlling these girls,” Karygiannis said. “This activity brings gangs and other unwanted elements into the community.”
This week he will be sending literature in Chinese and English to residents advising them of the illegal clubs and his concerns.
