EVERETT — The City of Everett has partnered with the Washington state attorney general’s office to address illicit massage businesses, resulting in the closure of numerous suspected operations following a multi-month emphasis, officials said Thursday.
Everett police identified 44 locations this year suspected of operating illicit massage businesses. The police and fire departments, with support from the attorney general’s office, are working to address public health and safety concerns these businesses pose to workers and the community.
“We’ve made significant progress in shutting down massage businesses suspected of illegal activity in Everett — and we’re committed to continuing this work,” Mayor Cassie Franklin said. “I’m grateful to our police, fire department, CARE team and the Attorney General’s Office for their coordinated effort to hold business owners accountable while also ensuring workers know that support and resources are available.”
Police identified the suspected businesses through online reviews, advertisements and community tips. The businesses use the appearance of providing legitimate massage services to conceal illegal activity, including prostitution. The city prioritized the effort because of the significant impacts on the community and concerns that workers may be victims of exploitation or trafficking.
Many of the businesses include unpermitted, haphazard modifications that pose life-safety risks. Some spaces are used by workers for sleeping or habitation, contrary to building and safety codes.
At the direction of Franklin, staff brought forward updates to the Everett Municipal Code. In June, the City Council approved them as EMC 8.72 Massage and Reflexology. The changes are intended to protect public safety, support licensed businesses and help prevent criminal activity associated with unlicensed operations. Key changes include penalties for operating without required licenses and certifications, authority for the city to inspect businesses for compliance, and penalties to hold landlords accountable if they knowingly rent to businesses breaking these laws.
Everett police, the fire department and the Community Alternative Response in Everett (CARE) team collaborated on a holistic approach with the attorney general’s office. The approach focused on unlicensed massage services, inadequate business credentials, fire and building deficiencies, suspected reoccupation after closure or condemnation, and areas used for sleeping or habitation inside commercial properties.
If concerns of trafficking were encountered during inspections, they were to be investigated through standard pathways. The goal was to prioritize employee and victim safety while providing access to social resources.
After the ordinance passed, police launched an education campaign to give affected businesses clear information about the new requirements and time to come into compliance before enforcement began.
“I want to thank our investigators and officers for their careful work beginning in the earliest phases of this process,” Police Chief Robert Goetz said. “Throughout the course of this operation, they remained committed to transparency, professionalism, and ensuring all parties access to services if needed.”
Officers attempted in-person contact with all 44 suspected businesses. Bilingual officers spoke directly with employees and operators. Printed materials were provided in the primary language of those present and included a summary of the ordinance and resources on workplace rights, working conditions and human trafficking. Where no contact was made, materials were left at the business or mailed to the operator.
The Criminal Justice Division of the attorney general’s office used information provided by The Network, a data-driven nonprofit that identifies illicit massage businesses and supports law enforcement investigations. Based on that information, the office contacted the landlords of 23 businesses in Everett to inform them that their tenant may be operating an illicit massage business in violation of state and local law. The office also provided information about human trafficking. In response to these letters, 11 businesses closed and vacated. The office remains in communication with landlords of businesses that have not closed to ensure they follow the law.
“This coordinated enforcement protects people from trafficking and helps create a safer environment for residents and businesses in Everett,” Attorney General Nick Brown said. “I’m proud of how our team has collaborated with the City of Everett to enforce our laws, prioritize public safety, and reduce crime.”
Following the education campaign, police and the Fire Marshal’s Office conducted inspections at businesses that were still in operation. The Fire Marshal’s Office joined in part because of concerns that people may have been living and sleeping at locations that did not meet minimum fire and life safety standards. Each business received the same standard fire inspection conducted at any other business in Everett.
Fire inspectors identified a range of hazards, including electrical and plumbing work completed without permits, extension cords used in place of permanent wiring, fire extinguisher deficiencies and dryers venting into walls and attic spaces. Inspectors also found blocked exits and improper door hardware that could lock people inside the building, requiring special tools or knowledge to exit during an emergency, which fire code does not allow in commercial spaces.
“Fire and life safety inspections help us find hidden hazards before an emergency happens,” Fire Marshal Kurtis Brown said. “Those hazards put occupants, neighbors, and responding firefighters at greater risk if a fire breaks out. When we find fire code violations, we work with business owners on the corrections needed to stay open or reopen safely, and we refer any building, code compliance, or licensing concerns to our city partners.”
To date, the Fire Marshal’s Office and police have inspected 28 businesses. Eight of those businesses were condemned, and two others are under review for possible further action. Condemnation means a building has been found unsafe to occupy, often because it was altered without the required permits and approvals. Condemned buildings must be vacated immediately and remain closed until the necessary corrections are made and approval to reopen is granted. Three of the eight condemned businesses have been allowed to reopen after correcting immediate fire and life safety hazards and are continuing to work toward full compliance. Police issued 10 citations for violations of EMC 8.72 during initial inspections.
Throughout the checks, a member of the CARE team was available on site to connect employees to resources if needed.
Efforts to address the public health and safety concerns these businesses pose to both their employees and the greater community remain active and ongoing. The City of Everett is dedicated to preventing illicit operations and will continue to pursue this complex issue while prioritizing community safety.
Printed materials distributed during the education campaign are available here.
Author: Mario Lotmore
