Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 10:04 a.m.

for some reason I just wasn't afraid of those dancers.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 10:20 a.m.

This story is ridiculous. The city is overrun with crime, but somehow we can dispatch 16 policeman to collar exotic dancers. I can believe the PI doesn't address this. Something is not right here.

Concerned

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 10:31 a.m.

Given the # of times my car has been broken into in Seattle, I'd rather have the SPD focus on break ins

Posted by thestork at 12/14/06 10:35 a.m.

Priorities gone awry. Pedestrians hit in crosswalks, shootings and stabbings across the city, known DUI zones not being patrolled, adn 16-20 officers spending their night in a closed door entertainment estasblishment that is limited to people over 18 years old. This seems like senseless retribution from a politician and police force that lost a public referendum.

The people have spoken, "spend your time and our money on something more important".

Posted by Dr. Jim at 12/14/06 10:39 a.m.

The Colacurcios have been pushing the limits of sleaze since they expanded Rick's. Having said that, this is a VICTIMLESS "CRIME"! Those who believe that the activities at Rick's may lead indirectly to more serious crimes should demonstrate scientifically the causal link. I don't believe that they can do so: this is raging jealousy masquerading as righteousness. The girls at Rick's are like nurses to many of us. Far from fostering disrespect for women, they often are the only ones stoking the remaining bit of warmth in the hearts of many of us. Down with the Mayor Nickels and the City Council! Up with Rick's, the girls, the Colacurcios and all of us who love them! Jesus Christ - who the hell is being hurt by a few adults engaging in a few caresses and a little excitement in a secure environment? If your marriage is breaking, it's not because of this symptom: look to the root cause and do some serious soul-searching: it's not the girls' fault. My lord!

Posted by Human1 at 12/14/06 10:42 a.m.

This is simple fascism in action. This is simply Greg Nickels p*ssed off - this is unbelievably petty, vindictive and childish (and psychotic and dangerous!).

Solutions: Time for a new Mayor - this one has devolved into harrasing people because of how they touch.

Time for new police chief - if Gil does not have the balls to stand up to a petty, indictive, ugly, fat, white poster child for the Third Reich, then he has no business as Seattle's Police Chief. Let's bring Norm back...

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 10:43 a.m.

What a bunch of crap. All that wasted time and effort, police officers spending night after night in the club, for what? To hassle some girls that aren't hurting anyone for showing a little too much skin or rubbing some guy's pants. Just stop it.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 10:44 a.m.

absolutely ridiculous use of the police force. We have real crime to address. Let's get out of the morality enforcement business. C'mon Mayor, wake up. This use of the police force will not get you re-elected.

Posted by rg44 at 12/14/06 10:50 a.m.

It's nice to know that crime is way down, so way down that the police have plenty of spare time to pick on strip clubs. This has the mayors slimy fingerprints all over it. This petulant mayor, having lost Ref 1; is now going to "stick it" to the consenting adults who frequent this establishment. The voters of Seattle, by almost a 2-1 margin said they don't want government intrusion into our personal lives. Yet, this means nothing to the mayor. After all, when a survey said the citizens of Seattle want a viaduct, not a tunnel, he refused to listen. If he doesn't get his way, and get his "tunnel of love", he's going to pout, not allow permits for a viaduct, and dump all the cars on to city streets. What an absolute idiot.
I hope someone in the media gets a hold of this story and asks the question;"why are we wasting police resources"? If you want to make arrests for prostitution, go where the prostitutes are.
On a little sidebar here, for those of you not familiar with police behaviour; almost anything goes when they refer to "prostitution". You and I have a specific definition of that word. However, they use that word any way they choose. Even a girls hand on a guys's knee.
You also have to understand that for police to do undercover operations, they have to buy dances. At $20-30 each. I read in the P.I. that one officer had spent over $10,000 on dances.

If I recall correctly from previous articles in the P.I,
there have been hundreds of arrests at this clubs in recent years. Yet, no convictions.
Was there not a study recently stating that the Seattle Police Dept. was vastly understaffed for a city this size? If so, what the hell are we doing wasting police resources?
There was a bust just 2 weeks before the election. The police were asked if this was intented to affect the outcome of the election. No, was their answer. They just "realized" that they had not done any enforcement for a while and it was "due".
What you may not know, is that there was a bust about 2 weeks ago. Resulting in 2 arrests. Not enough, didn't make the news. Go out and get it right this time, bust as many as possible, this time "make the news"!!

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 11:03 a.m.

Why would these cops have it out for these girls? These girls are conciderd "artists". Would you expect a painter to get arrested for painting a picture of a naked woman? I think not! Anyway SPD, leave these girls alone, they are not doing anything wrong! I would find it exceptable if they were selling herion to kids out the back door or if there was somebody getting their A** kicked everyday. WTF Seattle dont we have better things to do with our tax dollars???

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 11:10 a.m.

What a waste of tax payers dollars, work on something MAJOR, like car theft!! Come on, a body can sit in the truck of a car for weeks/months yet the Police are directed to spend time hurting small business owners!! These are the same business owners who pay large tax dollars to fund civil services, i.e. Police and Administrative services, i.e. the Mayor's office....

Come on and get a clue, read these responses, voters told you to back off of heavy handed restrictions on the dancers, this should have been a big enough hint!!

FREEDOM OF CHOICE, this is why we live in the USA! These dance clubs have enough rules and restrictions, live and let live...

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 11:10 a.m.

How can the Seattle Police Department dispatch 20 officers to harass dancers at Rick's but openly ignore prostitutes and drug dealers along Aurora Avenue. I don't get that all, Gil. Let's fix the real problem, the ones that we have been asking you to fix for years.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 11:10 a.m.

A gross misallocation of police resources and tax dollars. Leave the dancers and the clubs alone. Put more officers on the anti-gang units.

Posted by Wizard_ofoz at 12/14/06 11:26 a.m.

Mayor Pickles you are an embarrassment to the Pacific Northwest!

Posted by rmmethow at 12/14/06 11:26 a.m.

Some friendly advice to the Seattle School Board members. Better lock your doors and watch in your rear view mirror because the "good" mayor has you on his list too.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 11:40 a.m.

When the P-I gets done with the Port of Seattle, maybe they can look into this. It is so sad that our city leaders are so clueless in their priorities. I can hardly walk 5 blocks in the evening (and I live in Belltown) without seeing what appears to be a drug deal go down, and I certainly can't make it 3 blocks without someone panhandling me. Nickels and Gil are small (well Nickels is actually pretty gigantic these days), petty men who are pi**ed off that the voters spoke so loudly and clearly against their crummy ordinance...

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 11:41 a.m.

Lovely, the cops hassle single mothers and women with few skills for other employment. Meanwhile there streets swarm with underage prostitutes and criminals.

Posted by wadems at 12/14/06 12:02 p.m.

Nice, again, to see that our police department and the mayor have their priorities in order! 16 police officers used for this when they could be preventing actual crimes? Arresting actual criminals? This is despicable waste of taxpayer money. Residents look to the police department for safety and crime prevention. To bad the police department and mayor Nickels aren't more concerned about those issues.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 12:11 p.m.

Are all the previous emails friends of Rick's owner??? How does anyone even know what the reason was for the bust. Come on guys, there are people who live in the area of Rick's and they complain all the time of problems. Do what Holland does, put all the strip clubs in one area to be monitored, this is a simple solution. If it was in your backyard you would not like it either, I can guarantee you this! P.S., I don't live near a stripclub, but one day they might appear in your neighborhood :)

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 12:16 p.m.

Can I get Miracle's home phone number?

Thanks,

Tim

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 12:19 p.m.

There has NEVER been a causal link established between strip clubs and secondary crime. They don't even serve alcohol on those places, just watered down soda and lousy coffee. Bars/nightclubs are much bigger nuisances to neighbors. Have you even BEEN to Lake City Way??? That neighborhood is a total hole. I am sure that people are upset they have to live in such a lousy area of the city but their complaints about Rick's are ridiculous. That being said, I would have nothing against putting all of these establishments in one area, but you will NEVER get Seatlelites to agree -- if I remember right, a proposal (that is now bogged down) was floated a while ago, but Georgetown (ANOTHER crappy neighborhood) got all up in arms....

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 12:25 p.m.

Absolutely ridiculous.

The Mayor's office needs to start listening to the citizens, rather than using these corrupt official's tactics to extract revenge on the owners of Rick's.

The citizens will have their say, and with this attitude on top of the other strongarm tactics (can anyone say viaduct replacement without voter input???) Nickels will hopefully be history in the next election.

Posted by rg44 at 12/14/06 12:35 p.m.

Nickels states that enforcement is needed in the name of public "safety"............
hmmm, I don't know about the rest of you, but I know I feel safer that these strippers have been arrested.
Thank God!
They must have those Al Queda strippers in there!
We can all rest a little easier now.

Posted by Racer_C at 12/14/06 12:39 p.m.

Weren't the police just complaining that they couldn't respond respond to two concurrent shootings due to lack of manpower? Wasn't an article just published within the past two days stating the SPD is understaffed. Apparently they were wrong. Is this just revenge for not obtaining stricter stripping laws. I'm not into strip clubs, but this raid seems a little silly, and wasting of precious resources that could be put to better use.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 1:01 p.m.

For all of you who oppose the police arresting the strippers, I say to you: "don't be haters." Perhaps my personal struggle will help you understand the danger we faced.

For several months now I haven't been able to go out after dark or even when it rains. Every night I have nightmares and my life has been one constant terror. That was until last night when our glorious mayor saved our city. No longer will I have to fear that if I accidentally walk into a strip club and accidentally happen to pay for a lap dance that I will be rubbed too closely or be too close to the naughty bits.

Sleep easy tonight, Seattle. The stripper reign of terror is over.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 1:04 p.m.

Anyone with any concerns about this should actually take time to call, or email, the mayor directly. Unless he hears from you directly, he will not know your opinion. After all, we employed him, he works for us. I too would like to see police resources spent working on crime that actually has victims.
Tel: 206/684-4000. Or email the mayor here:
http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/citizen_response.htm

Posted by naturaldisastor at 12/14/06 1:19 p.m.

Wow. Everyone is united against policing Ricks. I don't think I've seen this much unity and bipartisanship in any PI SoundOff before! This is the kind of unity and bipartisanship or country really needs! Now if only we could vote out Mr. Nickels and Kerlikowski...

Posted by ConfusedinSeattle at 12/14/06 1:34 p.m.

Why are our tax dollars continuosly being wasted? The Police Chief thinks he's so cool harrassing the same strip club over and over again. Mayor NickleNeck, you're out of office very soon Mr fat chin. And don't let the door hit you in your arse on the way out fatso!!

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 2:00 p.m.

Even if there is crime around Rick's (and I don't doubt that there is), all but 1 of the people arrested were dancers. It's not the best way to target the problem. And it's a lot easier said than done to "just do what they do in Amserdam." First of all, it's a completely different city, with a different attitude toward sex, drugs and most everything else. If you think sectioning it off works, check out other US cities where they do that. It's hardly the fun, Euro-chic atmosphere.

You say "If it was in your backyard you would not like it either, I can guarantee you this!" Well, it's always in someone else's neighborhood.

This isn't about the zoning issue, though. It's about the fact that everyone cites a public safety problem in this city, and yet over a dozen officers were at Rick's busting strippers.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 2:10 p.m.

This has nothing to with the girls and 1st amendment rights and everything to do with the Colarucci's and organized crime. The Seattle Police are making a statement to the owners of the club that are making tons of money, thumbing their noses at the cops and trying to buy off politicians. Welcome to the big time sleepy Seattle. Just like all the other big cities around the country, organized crime is here and you aren't going to like it. Maybe you will think twice about being so concerned about the rights of the girls and use of police time when the mafia shakes down your business. Go Seattle Police. Harass them all you want....

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 2:32 p.m.

I always use to be on the side of government and thought hey these are people working for us just trying to do their best. I was wrong. I have lost any faith that the Seattle government can do anything in a reasonible fashion. The more I hear and read about the way the city operates the more I want to leave my past liberal tendancies and leaning more and more to the right.

Thanks Mayor, I think that every movie, television show, novel or short story I ever read that refers to an incompetant mayor I will picture you.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 2:34 p.m.

Clearly the mayor has a vendetta against Rick's, and specifically, the Colacurcios. Nickels is blatantly abusing his power and systematically shaking down Rick's. Isn't there another strip club right up the street? How come that club doesn't get the same attention as Rick's? Hmmm . . . Makes you wonder what Nickels agenda is. I wish the press would really focus on this story and make it clear that the police resources and tax paer money is being squandered by someone who wants to legislate morality.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 2:35 p.m.

Mayor Nichols and Chief K.:

Fix Aurora Avenue N. Spend those valuable resources where they are most needed.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 3:12 p.m.

I will never again support an increase in the police department's budget! What an outrage that our hard-earned tax dollars are being spent raiding a business catering to adults in privacy. Message to Seattle Police: Get your priorities fixed. Message to local government officials: Don't whine to us about the need for more police. Instead, try putting the ones that you have to real work on real crimes.

Posted by Human1 at 12/14/06 3:29 p.m.

Nickels is a sleazy fascist and needs to be tried for crimes against humanity, the women, and the decent citizens of Seattle. Time to throw this corrupt regime out of office.

GO RICK'S - WE VOTED FOR YOU AND WILL DO SO AGAIN

Peace,
Human

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 3:41 p.m.

This is why I love living in Portland. Strip Clubs everywhere and it's not a big deal. I own a house in a great neighborhood with strip clubs nearby. Do they ever bother us? Nope. Is there more crime? Nope. In fact you hardly notice them. Seattle seems to be turning into an overpriced puritanical dump. Glad I left.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 4:00 p.m.

HOW DARE YOU, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO LEGISLATE MORALITY. If I dont want to see or go somewhwere THAT'S MY CHOICE NOT YOURS (I dont go there). The greatest period of violent crime in this nation was PROHIBITION when others attempted to legislate morality. All that did was creat criminals out of common citzens and create massive opportunities for often voilent acts. Shame, Shame, you are both petty little men. I wish there were severe penalties for not listening to your constituents. And this is supposed to be a liberal and progressive city??

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 4:05 p.m.

When is the City going to get its priorities in order – the last time I need the Police my car was broken into twice and I keep seeing dozens of drug deals go down each day outside my window in Pioneer Square. What does it take for the Mayor and the Police Department to actually start protecting us? Although I can't blame the Police too much, I'd rather be hustling several dozen beautiful women then getting a gun pulled on me downtown stopping a drug deal. I guess they're leaving that area to the neighborhood watch associations. I'd also like the PI to find out if the officer that spent 10,000 dollars on "gaining evidence" has been suspended or put on probation.

Posted by Dr. Jim at 12/14/06 4:07 p.m.

The the poster who urged writing to Nickels, I've already done so via his Web site:
********************************************************
"Dear Mayor Nickels,
With regard to the raid on Ricks in Lake City last night, I posted the following on Angelo Bruscas' Post-Intelligencer blog:
"The Colacurcios have been pushing the limits of sleaze since they expanded Rick's. Having said that, this is a VICTIMLESS "CRIME"! Those who believe that the activities at Rick's may lead indirectly to more serious crimes should demonstrate scientifically the causal link. I don't believe that they can do so: this is raging jealousy masquerading as righteousness. The girls at Rick's are like nurses to many of us. Far from fostering disrespect for women, they often are the only ones stoking the remaining bit of warmth in the hearts of many of us. Down with the Mayor Nickels and the City Council! Up with Rick's, the girls, the Colacurcios and all of us who love them! Jesus Christ - who the hell is being hurt by a few adults engaging in a few caresses and a little excitement in a secure environment? If your marriage is breaking, it's not because of this symptom: look to the root cause and do some serious soul-searching: it's not the girls' fault. My lord!"
Mayor, please take heed: my post generated an entire slew of rants against you, the Police Chief, the City Council, and anybody else that thought that this raid was an effective use of City resources, or just good policy in itself (my own opinion).
I do not live in the city, but have worked professionally in Seattle for 15 years, my entire adult life.
You've got to change or go. This is ridiculous. Be nice! Neither the majority of the girls, nor the majority of the patrons are bad people, let alone criminals. This crime is NOT A CRIME!!!
Sincerely,
Jim M*******
206 225-****"
********************************************************
To the guy who talks about the Colacurcios being "mafia" to scare us, this is not the Gambino family we're talking about. These are strip club entrepreneurs (and the best managers of strip clubs on the West Coast in my experience) who, due to harassment by the police, become labeled "mafia" by the same authorities and establishment that would defend this raid that infringes on the civil liberties of the girls and the patrons. Let's stop labeling everybody with simple, convenient labels: isn't this how George W. Bush got us mired in Iraq?

Posted by RCS at 12/14/06 4:10 p.m.

I agree with most of you. SPD is wasting their resources with the strip clubs while are cars are being stolen, we're getting mugged and assulted.

They should focus on real problems first!

Posted by waxfanatic at 12/14/06 4:26 p.m.

Typical Nichols. But Seattle, You've got no one to blame but yourselves for having such a corrupt thug for a mayor. When he ran for mayor he mouthed all the correct "progressive" mantras. Naturally the PI, Seattle weekly and The stranger fell all over themselves singing his praises. (and ironically accusing the person running against Nichols of being exactly what Nichols now is). Untill the people in this political ghetto actually start thinking beforer they vote. As apposed to merely supporting someone because they say they are "progressive" or are a democrat. This town will continue to suffer from an ossified, corrupt political establishment, we'll continue to have voting "irregularities" and our elected officials will do what they please knowing all they have to do to get reelected in Seattle is pay lipservice to the city's poseur progressivism.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 4:29 p.m.

Exactly about the hand on the knee comment. Like cops NEVER EVER bend the rules.

Is touching a knee even against the law!!!!!!

Police can bend the rules because they are regarded as respected citizens of society. They're allowed to spend city money on multiple lap dances, or perhaps stopping female motorists for random frisking. I have nothing against cops. I do however hold a disdain for certain individuals who feel it is just to abuse their ranking and title, i.e.; bad cops and the mayor.

I know the police are doing their job but picking on strippers is helping their case how? They are the ones who need to stand up to the mayor and the city too!

It's not ok for strippers to bend the unrealistic church, err, I mean, strip club rules to make an honest living because they are not considered viable citizens.

There are lesser strip club rules in the Bible Belt and that is a fact! For starters you can drink alcohol and be topless off stage! Not in Seattle. In fact you're not even allowed to tip the strippers on stage because you have to be six feet away and the mayor wanted to make it so you could not tip them at all!

This raid might have to do with the renewal of licenses that needs to be done by the end of the year. I'll bet those girls that were arrested will get their licenses suspended or not able to renew. The city is FORCING people to conform to fascism and their petty argument that they lost! This is CORRUPT!

Not only is it harrassment it is discrimination.

The laws in Seattle are too strict to begin with and they dehumanize women! You can be ticketed for flirting! Yes! Flirting in a strip club!

New Seattle stripper mantra: don't look at them, don't touch them, don't even get close to them, don't move or wiggle in a suggestive manner, or touch your own body or say anything that might instill arousal, cover up while you're at it that outfit is too skimpy-- do all of the above or you will be ticketed. Your job is to stand there and look pretty.

Strippers are strippers so they are able to make a living wage and escape office politics and sexual harrassment. (Sounds ironic but true!)

Now there is a slimy city official with a thwarted agenda throwing a temper tantrum in their lunchroom threatening to fire everyone if they don't quit first.

By the way I'd like to know what social programs the city has in place for out of work sex workers.

By far the worst mayor of Seattle in many, many areas. Wasn't Nickels on the city council for years and strip clubs never seemed to be a problem? Weren't the city's false claims against the owners of Rick's dimissed in federal court?

The SPD should be furious with the mayor and those who support his crusade against strip clubs because he is using the police as pawns in a personal attack that is close to his icy, stone cold heart!

SPD is over taxed as it is! Way to go keeping the public safe and taking 16 to 20 officers off the streets last night to fight real crime!

It's the holidays and football season. Drunk drivers and other assorted crimes that actually harm people should take precedence!

Seattle needs more police
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=burgess14&date=20061214&query=cox

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 4:36 p.m.

SPD: Pray tell us how much you spend on stakeouts and raids? Your voting public wants to know!

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 4:54 p.m.

I think it humorous almost thst comment # 18939 really thinks theis mayor cares about the citizens of Seattle ans what we think. He hasn't before!

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 5:22 p.m.

Contemptible!

The waste, the loss of respect for law enforcement!

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 6:01 p.m.

Having been To Ricks many times the most risky aspect of the place is the men's restroom. Totally dirty with condoms on the floor and tiolet last time I went.

Other than that, these ladies are just selling some T and A not drugs and guns.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 6:10 p.m.

It makes me VERY ANGRY. I am SICK of this "New Puritanism" and waste of law enforcement resources.

It must be much more fun and much less dangerous for officers to harass dancers than pursue dangerous criminals, but that's not what we are paying them to do.

STOP IT!!

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 6:14 p.m.

EVERYBODY contact the mayor directly:

Tel: 206/684-4000.

Or email the mayor here:
http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/citizen_response.htm

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 6:25 p.m.

Dear cops and Mayor Nipples. Stop hassling strippers and prostitutes, they aren't hurting anyone and you're wasting our money!!! Instead, "help" address the plague of underage prostitutes that has spread throughout this city, and bust some real criminals! These are children--help them rather then dropping them off at some teen shelter from which they run away to hook again.

You should be ashamed. It's not just money you're wasting, it's also the opportunity to do address real issues with crime in Seattle.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 7:21 p.m.

Dear Mr. Nipples,

As a mother, this pi@%es me off. Im more worried about the drug dealers on every corner, then what goes on in the strip clubs.

This is behind closed doors, where my child is unable to see, itz where ADULTS are!!! Plse dnt waste my hard earned money, cuz I work hard for it!!!!

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 7:36 p.m.

Lets not forget about the other recent complete waste of city resources and the needless inefficient burden placed on the criminal justice system with the Craigslist sting, which "over a hundred people were arrested." Keep in mind that after that operation, from the bottom rank of officer, detective, and captain and up to Chief, each one proudly padded himself or herself on the back. Such a challenging investigation, both mentally and physically, sarcasm. I believe a middle school student could conduct such an operation via the computer. Fault doesn't fall entirely with the police. They answer to city government and as we have seen, city government directs police power. Let's not forget about what took place at Mardi Gras. And now, this completely obvious vendetta the mayor has and his, and other city officials, use of the police for revenge. It's blatant misuse of city resources. "Ding Dong, Hello, We are not that stupid."

Perhaps the police department administration did not see in the news were two officers were killed by career criminals who should not have been on the street. If those officers would have been ordinary citizens, the uproar from Seattleites would have been phenomenal. Lets look at the motive and intent of individuals working in the sex industry versus those killers who to steal your car, checkbook, credit card, driver's license, and basically your IDENTITY. They do this for the purpose of paying for their drugs and causing as much damage to innocent citizens. I have an idea, how about the police challenging themselves by conducting in depth, difficult, and rewarding cases involving drug dealers, gangs, auto thieves, rapists, burglars, child porno, and programs involving the homeless. Those were not in order of importance. How about cleaning up the University District? There's a concept. How about the supervisors and city officials support the case officers when crap hits the fan.

You the citizens are not off the hook. You are part to blame for this. When the police do go after career criminals, they are often met with a barrage of unsupportive accusations. The media then assists with their propaganda. Yes, media it is propaganda you dish out. How do I know this, because I dealt with it for almost ten years while working in Seattle. The concept was ignoring certain crimes and to not make waves.

Society has become more dangerous and it's about time the citizens of Seattle and the all administrators within the city realize this. What are you going to do to make us safer? Busting a stripper is not making my family, children, and animals feel any safer. The worst part of all this is the fantastic opinions offered above by fellow citizens will not have a single impact on city officials decisions. In New York City commanders of police precincts were held personally responsible for the crime rate in their precinct. If the crime rate increased commanders and supervisors were disciplined. Some went from commander to street cop. It was an amazing concept, it only took the discipline of two or three commanders for the crime rate to go down in precincts. Let's stop looking to San Diego for ideas on running city government. San Diego is one of the most messed up, poorly run, politically correct, and irresponsibly cities around.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 8:17 p.m.

I live about 1.5 miles from Rick's. Everyday students walk and bike past it on the way to a neighborhood high school. I guess this is convenient when Rick's want to recruit new dancers. I noticed recently a new business one door South of Rick's. A discount Gun Store. Great! Real convenient for kids feeling suicidal or homicidal. Is there an obscure hard-to-prove tie between the discount gun shop and Rick's? Didn't the PI or Times have a story about organized crime and Rick's some years ago? The Feds tried to prove what they knew, but had to fall back on RICO. Didn't the old man go to jail for 8 yrs? He turned the operation over to his son. When he got out of jail he frequently attended the joint, always claiming he was not advising his son on day to day operations.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 8:40 p.m.

this is another waste of tax dollars, my home was broken into , my car twice was a victim of a hit and run and had my trailer stolen. it took over forty five minutes to get a responce or call back on 911. but they can dispatch 16 officers unkown countless hours of vice to bust ricks dancers. i think seattle should rethink of who we put in office and make them acountable of wasted washington state time and money! a 48 year resident of king and snohomish county!

Posted by lakshmi_neruda at 12/14/06 10:04 p.m.

I lived within a half mile of Rick's for over three years. Never once did I see anything tawdry in the neighborhood. What is frustrating is the regularity with which cars would be vandalized -- windows broken, contents stolen, paint jobs keyed. I can't imagine these juvenile crimes have any relation to Rick's patrons. Mayor Nickles is a clueless rube that was shamefully reelected without any help from me.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 10:22 p.m.

And you wonder why crime is up in Seattle?

Well there were complaints of harassment, racial profiling, excessive use of force and everything else under the sun when the Seattle Police Department was proactive in the 80's and 90's.

So the police department responds to the pressure and the de-policing started just after WTO. No one will say it above the rank of Sergeant there. I feel bad when I am in training at the police academy in Burien and I see the SPD recruits. All that energy, dedication and idealism will get burned out of them far too quickly. This is why I don't speak to those poor recruits when I am at the academy. I do not want to bum their high.

I took a 50% to leave that crap behind and it was worth every penny. I wonder if you all realize that until the mid 90's you had one of the best police departments in the United States? Not anymore.

I never realized what quality personnel there were there until I left.

You should have been more careful because you got what you wished for.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/14/06 11:37 p.m.

Mayor and Chief of Police:

My daughter's car was broken into that night. Why did you have all your cops over at Ricks instead of preventing the crime on my daughter?

You have lost my respect.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/15/06 12:16 a.m.

Will someone please stop this madness! Pioneer Square has been all but abondoned by the police and our businesses and residents are paying the price. Half the storefronts on First Avenue between Cherry and Yesler are vacant. When a deranged homeless person baraicaded themselves in the restroom of our gift shop, three seperate calls to 911 resulted in no action. !Well, they did call back after 45 minutes to ask if we still needed assistance.) Two of my employees have had their cars broken into in the last month. Will the mayor and the police chief please stop this senseless allocation of public resources? Sending 16 officers to anything but a Columbine type event is pure crap. City council...why don't you stand up to this? You just added (over the mayor's objection) 18 officers to the force. And where did the mayor send them? He's thumbing his nose at you, too. Stop taking it and do your jobs. Urgggh!

Posted by unregistered user at 12/15/06 8:28 a.m.

So many other crimes, like bank fraud & identity theft happened to me, police know who did it, but won't arrest yet.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/15/06 3:03 p.m.

According to the article, the raid was the result of an undercover operation. What specifically is / are the violation(s) they are being charged with?

Where's Paul Harvey to tell me the REST of the story?

Posted by unregistered user at 12/16/06 10:22 a.m.

The mayor and the police chief are thugs. They rounded up these girls and tried to coerce them into saying that illegal activity (prostitution) was going on at Rick's; and if the girls lied about this, they would get their charges dropped.
Does this look like a conspiracy to you, too? Do you want your elected officials acting like Nazis?
And what the hell! They charge the girl with prostitution when it's only dirty dancing. The mayor and police chief are insults to democracy. I'll try voting Fatso out again next time.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/16/06 11:17 a.m.

when is Mayor Nipples going to be elected out?

Posted by unregistered user at 12/16/06 1:40 p.m.

Concerning Mayor Nipples,

I confess I voted for him. Won't happen again.

He wants a billion dollars to build a tunnel to give his downtown rich buddies a waterfront view.

My business broken into, my car hit skipped, my car stolen, outboard motors stolen, etc. No investigation, no arrests, nothing.... To be fair on the outboard I gave a description of the suspect, the getaway car and the license number of the getaway car and three months later the police called me to look into it. What a joke.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/16/06 1:43 p.m.

I agree that this looks like Mayor Nickles is being vindictive...

Now he has mentioned Georgetown as an area to put the strip clubs in one area..

I have a suggestion for that...How about putting them in an in West Seattle near his house??? Then maybe he'll see what Georgetown is upset about...

But stop this and focus on the crime. I wonder how many people SPD could arrest with 16 cops on the street doing a sweep in Rainier Valley or in Pioneer Square?

Remember when Ron and Don on KIRO did the expose' about the drug dealing within a block of the City Buildings downtown???

Posted by unregistered user at 12/16/06 10:20 p.m.

The things they do at Rick's is nothing worse than what is offered by searching "free porn" on Google. I've been to Ricks, and they have very high rules as to what goes on. There is a nudity, given, but as far as private dances they do nothing more than dancing for you. There is nothing past dry humping, and it rarely even gets that far.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/17/06 3:11 a.m.

While I don't live anywhere near Rick's, I used to live in Belltown, 2 blocks from where the razmataz / downtown deva vu used to be. And for as far as neighborhood complaints went, I had far more about the drug dealers and hookers on the streets and the drunken crowds coming out of the bars on 1st ave that were totally unrelated to the strip club being there.

And I have been to Rick's and I really didn't feel much like I was in anyone's neighborhood. Sure, there were houses somewhere around there, but the place is right off lake city way, not buried in a residential zone.

As far as being victimized by the strippers? Maybe the one's that promised a little extra lewdity in there behaviour for an extra $20 and failed to deliver left me feeling like I was stolen from.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/17/06 9:52 a.m.

I can't believe that our tax dollars are supporting the behavior of our mayor and police dept. I live in the Lake City area and there have been two murders within three blocks of my house within the last 6 weeks, and we have how many police officers at Ricks???? this is absurd, these girls are making a few dollars and who is Nickles to pass judgement and waist our law enforcers time HARASSING these women. What is the real issue here?? Is it about the election? or is it a personal vendatta against the owners of the club. The Seattle PI needs to step up and investagate what is going on here

Posted by unregistered user at 12/19/06 9:02 a.m.

If you're angry about this, then tell SPD about it.
http://www.cityofseattle.net/police/contact_form.htm

Posted by unregistered user at 12/19/06 6:47 p.m.

Geez.... I have been here for 10 years now... and am still convinced that Seattle has some of the worst City leaders in the nation... this poor allocation of Police resources is absurd!!

Posted by unregistered user at 12/20/06 11:24 p.m.

i really do think that there are way worse people out on the streets! my house was robbed and only few people had keys who ever did it had a key and knew where my safe was. please tell me why ive never in a year heard back from the police dpt and i call and they tell me they questioned those people and didnt feel feel they needed to go further when one of the 3 basterds robbed me! im a female and think that beautiful woman shouldnt be arrested for dancing.... why do they not go after the club owners. the dancers have a house of 120 to 200 so how r they supposed to make the club money without table dancing?

Posted by unregistered user at 12/21/06 1:55 p.m.

I agree the SPD and the city government are all corrupt. Somebody did not pay the local politician lately, eh? I have my own story. About the rigged parking meters of years past. Came back 5 min before my time was due and the meater maid washout from SPD was writing me a ticket. Well I never paid it. And that was 1996! Ha ha basturds.

Posted by unregistered user at 1/3/07 12:08 p.m.

I am so glad to see that the Seattle Police Department, most probably at the behest of the Mayor's office and City Council, is performing such a valuable safety enhancing function. Why is it that this country (not just the City of Seattle) is obsessed with enforcing some sort of puritanical values on the populus when it comes to nudity and anything related to sex but it is just fine for every Tom, Dick and Harry to own a small arsenal of weapons and nurture a culture of violence through television, movies and even video games. Exactly who is being victimized at establishments such as Rick's and what are the long-lasting effects? Rick's is an "adult" entertainment venue - you have to be 18 to work there; you have to be 18 to be admitted as a patron; they don't server alcohol; and they have security staff to protect employees and patrons. So from what threat is the SPD protecting society? Oh, and by the way, how much money did the City spend and how many "illegal" touching dances did Seattle police officers have to endure (enjoy?) before it was decided enough evidence had been acquired to justify a raid?

Posted by unregistered user at 1/4/07 11:16 p.m.

Well, it's quite amazing that these "poor girls only trying to make a few bucks for their babies" were unfairly treated appears to be the pervasive viewpoint put out by the newspaper. Don't believe it, no-one is that naive. There is plenty of crime surrounding these "girls"---start with contrived deception in almost every imaginable way to take the focus off the real problem--organized crime. Around these "innocent girls" are crime rings encased with prostitution, drug traffic, extortion, harrassement, hate-crimes and every other con game you can think of and these "sweet girls" are very keenly aware of this and are perpertrators and victims of this atmosphere. Most of the comments either delibrately or mistakenly seem to forget that without reasonable police and other security apparatus, the thugs of seattle would have a field day on all of us. One has to wonder what type of person wants to continue this. Make no mistake, I respect privacy and personal rights, but I suspect the public is being hoodwinked ivictimless crime". It's not just about the strippers; it's about what else is connected with them and there is a lot. This is just one aspect of organized crime---which we all pay for one way or another. Just because the organized crime tactics have gotten smarter, more subtle, and harder to prove in court doesn't mean it doesn't exist: it's there just below the surface and most people are aware of some of it, but tend to pretend it's not there and focus on tangential issues. Don't sweat it though for the people who don't like this opinion; I'll start posting bits of proof from time to time. This is your realistic, everyday terrorism. But it's ok to harrass people as long it's these people and not the "police" right?

Posted by unregistered user at 1/8/07 9:52 p.m.

I read two comments about how these "girls" are tied in with organized crime associated with Ricks. Gimme a break! If they are involved at all they are pawns and arresting them does nothing to the crime leaders. Why does this seem to be centered only on Rick's too if it is the dancers that are involved. I'm sure they work wherever they can.

Now, if you have some "bits of proof" of course you should share that - particularly with the police! If there's crime there or actual prostitution within or originating out of Rick's then something should be done about it. This kind of raid doesn't help though. If this is organized crime it certainly wouldn't be confined to that one little building (at least it sure looks tiny). There have to be opportunities to collect evidence and conduct stings to hit those areas that really hurt organized crime, such as interrupting their drug traffic or money laundering or theft rings. You know, all those other problems to address that people have suggested would be a better use of police resources.

Posted by unregistered user at 6/4/07 4:22 a.m.

Great Idea. The place is dirty and the women and manager deserve everything they got.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/25/07 11:59 p.m.

i know a lot of strippers personanlly and they all are screwed up in the head...and all been through a lot in their life...it's the only life they know...they end up getting used to that life...and arn't educated enough to do anything else/ alot of single moms do it...adm young girls get sucked into it...and it totally down grading..they have no respect for themselves. it disgusting....i seen what they do...it's not just little innocent touching...alot of them do have sex adn and do more then lad dances...and these guys are perverts...it's wrong...and i feel sorry for these girls actually. ....i could go on..anyone for a ll thoses single moms who do it for their kids..i know it only what you know and your trying but trying to get a reall job even if it starting at such a lower pay....you kids would be soo happy...instead of ashamed and you wouldn't have to lie about your job. i don't understand stipperssssss....cops are doing a good thing...stipping it like prosituting..

Posted by unregistered user at 8/26/07 12:07 a.m.

you people are such freakinh bullshitters...nothing past lap juat dancing...uh huh? yeah right...i live with a stipper....she does a ll the dirty deeds....thats what she has to do to get money sooo.....you people need to stop saying oh it's harmless dancing ,...or these girls are artists....in a very hurtfull way most of these girls have huge insercurity issues....drug issues.... all kinds of thing.ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Posted by unregistered user at 9/20/07 4:35 p.m.

Ricks' is for dancers not prostitutes, and that's why the hos get to be hos on the street and the hos in the strip club get harrassed or arrested. Duh!

Posted by unregistered user at 10/14/07 8:04 a.m.

oh how sad, looks like the unregistered user who commented on 8-26 at 12:07 has been hurt by their stripper roomate because she has regulated you to "friend" status. ah, yet you dream of more. get over it and get a life. let me spell it out for you. on any one evening they will meet more people than you will in the next year and have more "friends" than you had all throughout high school and college combined. She has freedom, money, sex, friends......I know this sparks jealousy and envy but you need to get a grip. The point is that you want to feel special but you aren't. She meets 50 new guys every night and pockets 4-5K tax free every month while partying and it seems like she never works, her phone rings every few minutes with new fun to be had, (while your alone tonight) do the math. HINT: don't try and keep up, you can't. you don't have enough money, few do, you can't offer the variety she experiences every day, no one can. The jealousy resulting from this is why people like you want to persecute them. You have a dull little life and you want to strike back. Now I'm sure your confused and the full blown desperation that you are feeling has resulted in many masturbation sessions while thinking of your roomy. I'm sure you've been stood up by her on several occasions(in a row) as she is off to party with one dude after another.

bottom line, our capatalist society generates envy: sports stars, athletes, lotto winners, doctors, even attorneys and strippers. you need to break your obsession and focus on making your own life. don't take out your petty jelousy's on someone living free in america. be ashamed, now go do your own thing.

Posted by unregistered user at 11/17/07 9:40 p.m.

What? NO causal link 'tween Rick's and crime?

-Um, haven't members of the Colacurchio family been sent to prison for "racketeering?" -Yes, DOH!

Ahah! Whaddya know? A link between Rick's and organized crime-

Posted by unregistered user at 1/8/08 12:20 a.m.

Keeping our city safe from the dangerous pole dancers.

Another fine service of the 'you can't put your thing in her thing for cash but dinner's ok' police.

Posted by unregistered user at 1/13/08 4:32 p.m.

When the P-I gets done with the Port of Seattle, maybe they can look into this. It is so sad that our city leaders are so clueless in their priorities. I can hardly walk 5 blocks in the evening (and I live in Belltown) without seeing what appears to be a drug deal go down, and I certainly can't make it 3 blocks without someone panhandling me.

hey i live in bellevue too there's lil things going on, yea there are some drug dealings but not as bad as you said. bellevue is like safest city in pacific northwest only surpassed by possibly mercer island.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/8/08 1:29 p.m.

Julia Giselle Parker (aka, Candy Cotton) use to dance there...she was arrested also in a sting operation.

Posted by unregistered user at 6/2/08 2:25 p.m.

I hope that shithole SHUTS DOWN!!!!! All those nasty whores that work there should move on with their pathetic lives! They are all drug addict crazy hookers...yes...hookers! SHUT THAT SHITHOLE DOWN!!!

Posted by unregistered user at 6/2/08 7:07 p.m.

What I think really happened and why this had to come to a end, Is that (MR NIPPLES) got turn down and call on the police for a bust........How is he about 80s

Posted by unregistered user at 8/25/08 10:45 p.m.

Don't be stupid - sex and drugs are never going to stop; decriminalize these and get to work on the real horrorific crimes!

Posted by unregistered user at 10/30/08 7:45 a.m.

Hey folks, if you think Mayor Nickel s is wasting money, he went to great lengths to get the FBI involved. We should add up all the money spent between the seattle police, and the FBI and see how many of our people in seattle/Washington we could have feed and provided shelter to. Where did all of the tent people move "Nickels town to? Do you know any food banks that have a over abundance of food? What is going on with our community???????? Let's throw his pathetic fat a.. out of office and any other a-hole that is as crooked!!!!