Strict Rules Imposed on Theater After Vice Arrests

Los Angeles city officials have obtained a temporary restraining order that imposes a curfew and strict operating conditions on a Hollywood adult theater they say is a center for prostitution and vice.

The restraining order was issued Jan. 18 by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Zebrowski against the operator and owners of the Projection Room Theater at 713 N. Western Ave.

More than 100 people have been arrested on lewd conduct charges and prostitution-related offenses in and around the theater in the past two years, according to Deputy City Atty. Tracy Webb, who is handling the case for the city.

City Atty. James K. Hahn, who on Nov. 29 filed a lawsuit that led to the restrictions, called the theater “a center for prostitution.”

In a statement, Hahn accused the owners and operator of “chronic indifference to the neighborhood blight being created by the criminal activities at the location.”

Under the temporary restraining order, the defendants are required to take steps to prevent lewd conduct in the theater, such as installing lighting and monitoring activity inside the theater at 15-minute intervals. They must post signs warning that lewd conduct is illegal and must close the theater at midnight instead of keeping it open 24 hours a day, Webb said.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit are theater operator Ronald W. Davis and the building’s owners, Charlotte Reed and Natalie Robin, Webb said.

William Hinkle, an attorney for Davis, said this week that his client has been cooperating with city officials. “My client is doing his level best to abide by the law, and he will continue to take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that the law is obeyed and that the rights of the citizens are protected,” Hinkle said.

Reed and Robin could not be reached for comment. Webb said the city wants the theater to comply with provisions of the California Red Light Abatement Act, which was designed to prevent adult businesses from being a public nuisance or attracting criminal elements.

“The first step is to get the owners to clean the place up so it doesn’t have to be shut down,” Webb said. “If they don’t comply, obviously the judge can shut it down.”

Hahn said he is seeking a preliminary injunction, which would set more permanent conditions on the theater, while the lawsuit is under way. A hearing has been set for Feb. 8 before Zebrowski.