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January 9, 1978 After experiencing a rapid growth of sexually oriented businesses since 1969, the Whittier City Council commissioned a study of the effects of the businesses on the adjacent residential and commercial areas. At the time of the study, Whither had 13 "adult" businesses: six model studios, four massage parlors, two bookstores and one theater. Utilizing statistics, testimonies and agency reports, the study compared two residential areas and four business areas over a span of 10 years (1968-1977). One residential area was near the largest concentration of adult businesses, the other had no commercial frontage but was chosen because of similar street patterns, lot sizes and number of homes. For businesses, Area 1 had six adult businesses, Area 2 had one, Area 3 had three and Area 4 had none. Two chief concerns cited in the report are residential and business occupancy turnovers and increased crime. After 1973, 57 percent of the homes in the adult business area had changes of occupancy, compared to only 19 percent for the non-adult business area. Residents complained of "excessive noise, pornographic material left laying about, and sexual offenders (such as exhibitionists) venting their frustrations in the adjoining neighborhood." Citizens also expressed concern about drunk drivers coming into the area. Business Area 1, with the most concentration of adult businesses (six), experienced a 134 percent increase in annual turnover rate. Area 3, with three adult businesses at one location, showed a 107 percent turnover rate. Area 2 (with one adult business) had no measurable change and Area 4 (with no commercial or adult businesses) experienced a 45 percent decrease in turnover from similar periods. The City Council looked at crime statistics for the two residential areas for the time periods of 1970-73 (before adult businesses) and 1974-77 (after adult businesses). In the adult business area, criminal activity increased 102 percent (the entire city had only an 8.3 percent increase). Certain crimes skyrocketed (malicious mischief up 700 percent; all assaults up 387 percent; prostitution up 300 percent). All types of theft (petty, grand and auto) increased more than 120 percent each. Ten types of crime were reported for the first time ever in the 1974-77 period. The Council's report recommended a dispersal-type ordinance that prohibits adult businesses closer than 500 feet to residential areas, churches and schools, and 1,000 feet from each other. In addition, the study proposed a 1,000 foot separation from parks because of their use by citizens after normal working hours. Adult businesses would be given an 18-36 month amortization period (if the change involved only stock in trade, a 90-day period was recommended). INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA February, 1984 8 000021