Two illegal massage parlors in Sacramento County were shut down after an undercover bust by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department POP team.
The Problem Orientated Policing, or POP, teams tackle crime that citizens flag as a problem. At the last community meeting, illicit massage parlors topped the list. So, the north team spent weeks gathering information on the parlors that offer more than a massage; a lot of their intel came from website advertisements and chatrooms.
"They get right down to the nicknames of these girls, what kind of clothes they wear, what they're going to do and how you ask them," an undercover POP team member said. "But the girls are smart, it's a constant cat and mouse game with these places."
The undercover operations can sometimes be lengthy. The person goes inside, pays for a massage and then sees what is offered.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team waits -- close, but out of sight.
Suddenly, a deputy listening to a hidden microphone on the undercover person says over the radio, "It looks like we have a deal -- $40 for a hand job."
Seconds later, "The bust signal was given. We have a good deal. Bust signal was given," is announced over the radio.
It takes just moments for half a dozen officers to swarm the complex, rushing into the parlor and breaking down doors, if necessary, to ensure the undercover officer's safety.
About an hour later, evidence bags are brought out and the masseuse is led out in handcuffs, soon to be booked in the county jail for prostitution.
The business is also shut down, and the landlord can't rent to another massage business for one year.
"You know, it brings unhealthy conditions, it ruins marriages, it brings things to neighborhoods that people don't want," a POP team leader said. "It effects the overall quality of life."
In these cases, the victims are the businesses next door to the illegal massage parlors; even though they won't say it.
"People are afraid to speak out on these things because there is some organized crime element to it," the team leader said. "They don't want to be a target, but they also don't want it scaring away their business."
On Thursday, the north POP team closed two parlors, but the year has just begun.
Last year, 15 parlors were shut down and nearly 150 prostitution arrests were made between massage parlors and girls working the street.
The team's captain Mike Gonzalez said most of the arrests, started with a complaint.
"There's nothing greater, or that has more satisfaction as a law enforcement officer, than to get out there and make a difference in the community and make it a better place," Gonazalez said. "That's what it's all about."
