GARDEN GROVE : City Bans Hourly Motel-Room Rental
Seeking to battle male and female prostitutes in the city, the City Council Monday night approved a ban on the hourly rental of motel rooms.
The council voted 5 to 0 for the ordinance, which also requires motel operators to keep an accurate, permanent register of all customers. It takes effect in 30 days.
“The purpose of this is to cut down on prostitution, and that’s what we want to do,” said Councilman J. Tilman Williams.
Monday’s action makes permanent an emergency ordinance first enacted on May 15 at the urging of Police Chief John L. Robertson. He argued that some areas of the city, particularly Garden Grove Boulevard between Magnolia Street and Beach Boulevard, have a proliferation of prostitutes, adult bookstores, peep shows and inexpensive motels.
As part of city efforts to clean up Garden Grove Boulevard, the City Council denied operating permits to four peep shows on that street. Court action is now pending against those firms.
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