Police misconduct is front and center in the national spotlight. People across the nation are asking for police accountability. What began as a cry to end police brutality has extended to examining the harms of private prisons, police culture, as well as monitoring monetary expenditures.
In examining budgets, it’s important to question the reasoning behind police using taxpayer funds to treat themselves to alcoholic beverages and lap-dances while on duty. Police justify the use these funds, stating they are conducting prostitution stings.
Evidence demonstrates that the results don’t justify the expenses.
Officers spent around $3,000 investigating Platinum Plus, a gentleman’s club in South Carolina. By investigating I mean purchasing lap dances and spending time with young women in the Champagne Room.
The investigation revealed that some ladies were removing pasties from their breasts and revealing their nipples, scary! Also terrifying, some dancers were found to be wearing G strings as opposed to the 2-inch minimum underwear thickness required by law.
The investigation of Platinum Plus was one of many, some of which did not bring in results.
During one year-long investigation, police spent $26,000. This investigation led to charges which included dancers flashing a nipple, or allowing customers to grope and fondle them in the Champagne Room.
One dedicated investigator even spent 10 hours reviewing lap dance footage.
While these events took place in South Carolina, the misuse of funds is far from an isolated occurrence.
I’ve worked in a dozen clubs across a half dozen states. Each state has had varying rules for customer contact and garments women should wear.
For example, in Virginia dancers gave lap dances, but had to remain in pasties and thongs. 20 minutes away in Washington D.C. there is full nudity, but no contact or lap dances.
In each state a “dedicated” task force tests the often intoxicated women with promises of compensation. If they agree to meet a customer later, violate distance rules, or garment expectation, the women are subject to fines and even arrest.
In many clubs, the women working feel uncertain about what the expectations are.
On my first day working at a strip club in California I signed a lengthy rule book. The pole must be arm’s length away while topless. The lap dances are meant to be no contact. Is that even a lap dance?
Following the rule book, which I did not receive a copy of, the manager gave me a tour. In the lap dance room, I couldn’t help but notice, lap dances! The manager explained the rules again in person, only this time it was a little less clear.
I was told that the club understands I have to make my money. However, if I were to receive a violation from VICE the club would not stand behind me. In fact, they would fire me.
Ok, I thought. That should be easy. I’m not interested in selling sex. I didn’t come here to break the law. Think again, VICE allegedly comes to the strip club as many as four times per week. And conducting prostitution stings is just that, a justification.
VICE is actually giving women citations for being closer than 6 feet from a customer while topless. VICE gives citations for nip slips or women who allow men to grope them. They also give violations to women for giving lap dances they deemed had too much friction. All friction is technically against the rules, so the agents are given a fair amount of discretion.
Which begs the question: Will I be in more likely to get a citation if I give a really good or a really bad lap dance?
I asked my manager what too much friction looks like. She hesitated and made an analogy to driving. We all know the speed limit is 60 MPH, but if we drive 70 we won’t get a ticket. However, it is a terrible idea to drive 80.
So grind at 70 MPH?
I started my first shift not feeling confident about how to conduct my job both successfully and legally. I couldn’t help but wonder, are the police working or playing?
Don’t they have crimes with victims to solve?
Only about 5.5 percent of rapes that are reported to police lead to an arrest. Those statistics only include victims who made a report and sought help from law enforcement. Less then 1 percent of the rapes that lead to an arrest also lead to a conviction.
Rape is a difficult crime to get a conviction for. In the meantime, it’s nice to know the police have their hands full… Literally!
Watch this report about former Platinum Plus dancers and their day in court:
Featured Image: Screenshot Via YouTube Video.
