4-20
ESCORT BUREAUS.

4-20.1 Definitions.

As used in this section:

Escort shall mean:

a. Any person who, for hire or reward, accompanies others to or about social affairs, entertainment or places of amusement.

b. Any person who, for hire or reward consorts with others about any place of public resort or within any private quarters.

Escort bureau shall mean any business or agency which for a fee, commission, hire, reward or profit, furnishes or offers to furnish escorts. (Code 1972 §§17-150, 17-151; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.2 Permits for Escort Bureau Required.

Every person conducting, managing or carrying on any escort bureau shall first procure a permit and pay an annual fee in the amount set forth in Section 4-8 of this chapter. (Code 1972 §17-152; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.3 Application Requirements.

Each application for a permit to conduct an escort bureau shall state the names and addresses of all escorts employed by or intended to be employed by the applicant. (Code 1972 §17-153; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.4 Report and Hearing.

The Sheriff, after investigation, shall report to the City Council as to whether the applicant for a permit to conduct an escort bureau is of good moral character and reputation, the business is to be conducted at a suitable place, is calculated or intended to be operated as a subterfuge for the conduct of an unlawful or immoral business and practice. (Code 1972 §17-154; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.5 Permit To Be Issued to an Individual.

A permit to conduct an escort bureau shall not be issued to, or in the name of any organization, group, corporation, partnership, or any other entity other than an individual. (Code 1972 §17-155; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.6 Fictitious Names.

The business may be carried on under a fictitious name in the manner provided by law if the Sheriff first approves of the use of such name, and if the name is recorded pursuant to the provisions of Section 2466 of the Civil Code. (Code 1972 §17-156; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.7 Escort Registration.

a. Required. Every escort shall register with the Sheriff.

b. Escort Registration Requirements. An escort shall not be registered unless he first furnishes the Sheriff satisfactory evidence of the good moral character of such escort. The Sheriff may cancel the registration of any escort for cause. Thereafter an escort bureau shall not employ such escort.

c. Hiring of Unregistered Escorts Prohibited. An escort bureau shall not hire or employ any escort who is not registered with the Sheriff.

(Code 1972 §§17-157, 17-158, 17-159; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.8 Personnel Change.

Every escort bureau shall within twenty-four (24) hours notify the Sheriff of every change in personnel of escorts. (Code 1972 §17-160; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.9 Minor Customer.

A person conducting an escort bureau shall not furnish any escort to, or accept employment from, any patron, customer, or person to be escorted who is under eighteen (18) years of age, except at the special instance and request of the parent, guardian or other person in lawful custody of the person upon whose behalf the escort service is engaged. (Code 1972 §17-161; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.10 Minor Employee.

A person conducting an escort bureau shall not employ as an escort any person under eighteen (18) years of age. (Code 1972 §17-162; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.11 Sign Required.

Every escort bureau shall post in a place clearly visible to a person entering the establishment and in lettering not less than one-half (1/2”) inch a sign containing the following information:

a. A description of each service available.

b. The price charged for each service.

c. The following language: “Any person who disrobes and shows his or her private parts or any female who disrobes and exposes her breasts while participating in any of the activities which this establishment offers for hire violates the Code of the City of Lynwood.” (Code 1972 §17-163; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.12 Records To Be Kept.

Every person managing an escort bureau shall keep a record of every transaction showing:

a. The name of each escort employed, furnished, or arranged for.

b. The name, address, and telephone number of the patron or customer.

c. Such other information as the Sheriff requires.

(Code 1972 §17-164; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.13 Records’ Availability.

The records required by subsection 4-20.12 shall be kept available by the permittee, open to the inspection of the Sheriff, any one (1) of his deputies, and of any police officer. The permittee shall deliver it to the Sheriff upon his written request. (Code 1972 §17-165; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.14 Revocation of Permit.

In addition to the grounds specified elsewhere in this chapter a permit to conduct an escort bureau may be suspended or revoked if the City Council finds:

a. That the permittee has committed, or caused, permitted, encouraged or condoned the commission of any lewd or immoral act, or any act of prostitution.

b. That the business has been conducted in whole or in part, as a subterfuge to facilitate or to conceal the conduct of any unlawful or immoral business or practice.

c. That the business has failed to comply with the requirements of this chapter. (Code 1972 §17-166; Ord. #1025, §11)

4-20.15 Division Not Applicable to Employment Agency.

This section does not apply to the lawful business of any employment office or employment agency licensed under State law which does not conduct an escort bureau. (Code 1972 §17-167; Ord. #1025, §11)