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the businesses. A police department "escort service" sting operation resulted in the arrest of many men soliciting prostitution through such businesses. Sergeant Gustin reported that by 1992, most of the original sexually oriented businesses had shut down, with only a few remaining under the newly-enforced and stringent regulations. HOUSTON, TEXAS January 7, 1997 This report by Houston's Sexually Oriented Business Ordinance Revision Committee was prepared to supplement prior reports issued in 1983, 1986 and 1991, with the aim of reforming the existing sexually oriented business ordinance if necessary and assessing possible improvements to protect the interests of the public and the rights of sexually oriented businesses. Hearing testimony and evaluating evidence from many sources, including police and parties favoring and disfavoring regulation of sexually oriented businesses, the committee concluded that criminal activity associated with sex businesses justified licensure requirements for such businesses and their entertainers and managers. It noted difficulties in obtaining convictions through sting operations. It viewed video evidence concerning "glory holes" between peepshow booths, whereby patrons of such establishments engage in anonymous sex with one another on the premises, and recommended prohibition of such holes. It found that sex businesses with inadequate lighting or without clear lines of sight to all parts of the premises encouraged lewd behavior and illegal sexual activity. It found that many sex businesses had locked rooms on their premises, serving as venues for prostitution. It entertained requests that public parks be included among the sensitive uses shielded from sexually oriented businesses by minimum distance requirements, and that increased prior public notice be given to neighborhoods in which sexually oriented businesses intend to locate. The Committee recommended various means of streamlining the licensure and enforcement processes. It proposed increasing some of the minimum distances required between sex businesses and other land uses, and strengthening of signage regulations, and more strenuous licensure requirements for sex business managers and employees. The committee recommended prohibition of the touching of customers by sex business employees engaging in display of specified anatomical areas or other specified sexual activities. Finally, the committee reviewed and opted to retain the city's amortization scheme, as an "appropriate balancing of interests" of the sex businesses and the community. The final portion of the report consists of specific proposed changes to the language of Houston's sexually oriented business ordinance. 15 000028