Peep Shows

The bells are tolling for The Block, Baltimore's once-famous adult entertainment district just around the corner from City Hall. Under a bill introduced by Councilman Wilbur Cunningham, adult entertainment businesses, peep shows and porno shops would be outlawed from the central business district by July, 1995. They would then be mitted only as scattered conditional uses in manufacturing districts.This is a timely legislative initiative. As lifestyles and entertainment technologies have changed, The Block, in the 400 block East Baltimore Street, has increasingly become a seedy anachronism.

Calling The Block crime-ridden and a detriment to development, City Councilman Wilbur E. "Bill" Cunningham, D-3rd, yesterday introduced a bill that would put the notorious red-light district out of business by June 1995.The zoning bill, which is backed by Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke, would prohibit adult entertainment businesses throughout downtown and most of Baltimore. They would be permitted only as conditional uses in manufacturing districts."The Block isn't what it used to be," Mr. Cunningham said.

Between massage parlors that offered more than massage and video stores that offered more than family entertainment, North County residents had more than their share of fights against sleaze in 1991.Butthe residents came out victorious, closing one massage parlor and prompting another to reopen as a health club. Also, under legislation the County Council passed in November, adult video stores in Glen Burnie and elsewhere in the county have a year to relocate to areas zonedfor heavy industrial or highway commercial use.Last summer, after a months-long police investigation, two massage parlors in Linthicum and Hanover were closed for violating county zoning laws.

Pornography and homes don't mix, say County Council members, who unanimously approved a bill forcing Arundel's four adult bookstores to move.But the owners of the four stores will sue to challenge the bill, which forbids adult bookstores and peep shows in residential neighborhoods, a county official predicted."

The County Council, which wants to know what residents think about peep shows and bingo parlors, will conduct public hearings tonight on bills regulating both industries.The bingo bill, 10 months in themaking, would prevent organized crime from having ties to the county's commercial parlors.The county revoked bingo licenses last year for three establishments, including Bingo World on Belle Grove Road in Brooklyn Park, whenofficials found that Stephen B. Paskind of Florida, who held those licenses, associated with organized crime figures at a bingo hall he owns in Florida.

The County Council is considering legislation that would prevent organized crime from having ties to the county's commercial bingo parlors.The bill, developed over 10 months by a task force, was introduced to the council Monday night. The county administration also introduced a bill restricting the location of adult bookstores and peep shows.Both bills are set for public hearings Nov. 18.The county revoked bingo licenses last year for three establishments, including Bingo World on Belle Grove Road in Brooklyn Park, when officials found that Stephen B. Paskind of Florida, who held those licenses, associated with organized crime figures at a bingo hall he owns in Florida.

After touring an adult video store and peep show in Annapolis, County Councilman Edward Middlebrooks, D-Glen Burnie, said he's more committed than ever to ousting a Glen Burnie video store from a residential neighborhood.Middlebrooks said he will seek restricted parking and increased lighting in areas closest to the Paradise One adult video store on Crain Highway in the hopes of drying up business."People who come to these places like to hide in the shadows," hesaid, explaining why brighter lights directed at the video store might decrease its trade.

A federal judge in Baltimore has upheld the constitutionality of a county law passed last month that imposes a moratorium on obtaining licenses to show adult videos.U.S. District Court Judge Frederic N.Smalkin said the law -- which gives county officials until Dec. 1 todevelop new guidelines regulating peep shows -- does not violate theconstitutional right to freedom of speech.Smalkin said that Annapolis Road Books, in the 1600 block of Annapolis Road in Odenton, is free to sell or rent adult entertainment materials.

A county moratorium on new peep show licenses has withstood a court challenge.Annapolis Road Books in Odenton had asked U.S. DistrictJudge Frederic N. Smalkin to overturn the moratorium. Smalkin refused, ruling last week that the temporary moratorium wouldn't cause the store "immediate, irreparable injury.""It's a positive decision for the county," County Deputy AttorneyDavid Plymyer said.But Smalkin has yet to rule on the constitutionality of the county's law regulating peep shows. Annapolis Road Books and 2020 News in Parole filed suit last month challenging the law,which requires businesses to obtain a "Class Y" license to show adult videos.

Two adult bookstores have gone to federal court to challenge a county law that requires a license to show adult videos.Annapolis RoadBooks in Odenton filed suit in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on Tuesday, and 2020 News in Parole filed suit last week.Annapolis Road Books claims the law is vague and allows officialsto deny licenses for reasons other than constitutional concerns.Deputy County Attorney David Plymyer said he believes the county's law can withstand a constitutional challenge.