Authorities continue to crack down on Visalia massage parlors

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- B-Joyful Massage is closed, but has a sign on its door.

It says, "interior decoration, holiday month, thank you."

The sign is dated April 20th, but one day before then, the massage parlor in a quiet neighborhood on the south side of town was busted for engaging in acts of prostitution. One woman was arrested there.

Two more at other parlors, including AAA Massage, on Ashland Avenue, and Wells Massage, on Court Street.

Those, too, were closed when we stopped by. All three women were arrested, cited, and released.

"We go in there, we get complaints, then if there's criminal activity, we take action, and we enforce the law obviously," said Visalia Police Sgt. Damon Maurice.

Less than a month ago, Visalia Police teamed up with officers from Fresno and found four other Visalia massage parlors to be offering acts of prostitution.

Four women were arrested, along with one more who was cited for allowing unlicensed masseuses to work at her business. As for the parlors involved in this week's detail, police don't believe any of the women were being trafficked.

"Our city of Visalia Code Enforcement Division has issued the businesses cease and desist orders, and are making arrangements to close the businesses down," Maurice said.

So while signs may indicate they're temporarily shut down, these parlors should be gone for good, soon. All of the businesses busted over the last month were also served other administrative orders requiring them to close.

They have the opportunity to appeal, and if successful, can reopen after they've corrected the violations.