Shut it down

Daniel Walters did a fine job of exposing the farce behind Spokane’s battle with the porn shop on North Division in the May 18 edition of the Inlander. About 6 years ago the city gave Hollywood Erotic Boutique a generous $50,000 and 3 years to close. They changed their name but continue to defy the zoning ordinance that prohibits this type of business from operating so close to residences and parks.

The city has spent close to half a million tax dollars over the last 23 years fighting for the right to protect the neighborhood and local businesses from the secondary effects of a porn shop. We’ve won the battle in court, but the City Council seems to have lost the will to enforce the rules.

It isn’t fair to Northtown Auto Liquidators or the families on the 3800 block who have to put up with drug paraphernalia, highly offensive discarded DVD wrappers, prowlers, break ins, sexual activity in the alley, lower property values, etc. just because the City won’t close this business down like any other non-compliant business. Not just during the pandemic, but for good.

Penny Lancaster

Spokane