Business & Tech

Town Notebook: Babylon Shutters Massage Parlors

Fifteen town businesses were cited and closed for various offenses including suspected prostitution by Suffolk Police and the Town of Babylon this week.

Babylon Town officials and the Suffolk County Police's First Precinct Crime Section squad shuttered 15 illegal massage parlors this week.

The joint effort, which was led by the town’s Quality of Life Task Force, was kicked off earlier this month when the town issued summonses to business owners for a wide range of offenses including not having required massage licenses, certificates of occupancy, plumbing and building permits.

The list includes a North Lindenhurst business which was closed by the police for suspected prostitution.

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"Quality of life issues have been a top priority for my administration since day one,” Town Supervisor Steve Bellone said in a press statement. “Illegal massage parlors are more than a mere nuisance; they often serve as dens for illegal activities. A great deal of vigilance is required to crack down on establishments like this, as new ones pop up all the time."

The Democrat, who has served as supervisor for nine years, is rumoured to be considering a run for the office of Suffolk County executive next fall.

The businesses were located in Deer Park, Copiague, North Lindenhurst, East Farmingdale, West Babylon and East Farmingdale.

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