MESA, AZ -- Mesa's crackdown on massage parlors has resulted in 20 arrests for prostitution.
Since September, a task force of six police detectives has made 127 inspections and discovered 43 establishments violated state or local laws.
The violations include massage parlors operating with unlicensed therapists, and failing to notify the city of a change of business name.
Mesa police Lt. Lee White said the recently completed inspections included 78 citations against 63 people, mostly the managers and operators of the massage parlors who are not following city or state laws.
The arrests come as Mesa drafts a stricter policy on massage parlors operating in the city.
Mesa police say tighter regulations of massage parlors will make it easier for police to figure out which businesses offer legitimate therapeutic massage.
When you drive through Mesa, you see the signs leading you to many of the 120 massage parlors.
Right now, city law says those business must be licensed. The therapists must also have a license from the state.
But city council member Dennis Kavanaugh claims the weak law is leading to a strong rise in prostitution which he said hurts legitimate businesses.
"It's demeaning that you're put into a category because you do massage," said Sherry Vangoethem, the co-owner of the Center for True Harmony.
Vangoethem supports the police crackdown.
In fact, she said her business has passed inspection twice.
"The first time they were checking for the establishment license and the second time they were checking for actual massage license photos of each of the therapists here."
The Mesa City Council is trying to make the law stricter in part by monitoring massage hours and the names and pictures of managers would also be required to be posted.
But experts said if you're still wondering if your therapist is legitimate, check to see if the business has a website.
"You'll be able to see if they have bios on the therapists, you're going to see what school did they go to," said Vangoethem.
If approved, the new city law affecting massage parlors could take effect as early as mid-November.
Right now, the city council said it plans to give businesses 60 days to comply.
