LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- On Wednesday, April 30, 2008, the next chapter in a long-fought battle between the South Robertson community and SKIN strip club will be written at the Police Permit Review Hearing at Parker Center, 150 N. Los Angeles Street, 90012 at 2:30pm.
Residents and community leaders from the South Robertson and Culver City neighborhoods have been engaged in an active fight against an all-nude strip club, SKIN, that temporarily opened its doors at the gateway to their neighborhoods in December 2007.
Community protest about the club has been unprecedented. A public police hearing in January drew standing-room-only crowds of over 650 people in January. The Hearing Examiner recommended denial of the club's operating permit. Tomorrow, the Police Permit Review Board will make a final decision.
This is the story of a united community who have organized to oppose the inappropriate location of the strip club. Of primary concern is the proximity of the club to Hamilton High School. Because the club is all-nude, the age of entry is 18, the same age as many Hamilton High School seniors attending school just 1200 feet away. Residents are also concerned about traffic safety given the location of the club at the congested and confusing on and off ramps to the 10-freeway at Robertson, and additional crime that will be drawn to an area already afflicted by gang violence.
A grassroots activist group, the No Robertson Strip Club Committee has raised close to $15,000 to help fund legal support, lawn signs, flyers, and a website (www.norobertsonstripclub.com). "If you turn left or right off South Robertson, you enter a flourishing, active and engaged community. This isn't just a pass-through to the freeway. We are united, and committed to building a better and safer South Robertson neighborhood," states Neighborhood Council board member, Doug Fitzsimmons.
The club is represented by Roger Jon Diamond. The community is represented pro-bono by the firm of Geragos & Geragos.
Councilman Wesson, Councilman Weiss, Deputy Mayor Frank, LAUSD Board Member Marguerite LaMotte and Council District 5 candidates Paul Koretz and Ron Galperin are expected to attend.