Council Keeps No-Parking Zone to Deter Prostitutes
Fearing the return of rampant prostitution that plagued the city in years past, the City Council this week denied local business owners’ pleas for increased nighttime parking at a Beach Boulevard shopping center.
Henry Ko, owner of the China Feast restaurant at 12100 Beach Blvd., was one of two businessmen who attended Tuesday’s council meeting to ask for more parking at Park Plaza.
Ko said he has paid many parking tickets for patrons who unknowingly violated a city ordinance that prohibits parking on the street near the plaza from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The no-parking zone was created to help vice officers spot prostitutes who use the area to pick up customers.
City leaders expressed sympathy but voted 3-1 to maintain the parking ban.
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