Have you ever been in a club when it was raided?

I've been to many clubs where some of the regular customers were off-duty cops. I think this is pretty common. I've also been to clubs where cops in uniform would frequently stop by to say hello to their friends who worked there. Nobody else paid any attention to them. Again I think this is pretty common. I'd guess that the managers of some clubs encourage cops to visit to help keep order, especially little places that don't have bouncers. I think it's a good idea, it always makes me feel more comfortable to see cops coming in now and then.

Heh...good point Glen.

Don't know if you guys are aware of the big news in Seattle. The local paper ran a story about an officer being suspended recently. The reason - making out with stripper in the Rick's parking lot. Nice. But that's just the tip of the iceburg - apparently several of the cops were verrrry friendly with the dancers, and it was practically a business relationship.

In this day and age, when skinny rich kids like Paris Hilton are giving BJ's and more on the net, for free or for cash, I just don't understand why all the fuss about the clubs. It probably costs the cops more to pay their undercover vice squad to do the sting, than they get back in citation fees. Of course, the cops get to have their fun on the job...

The really bad deal is when the TV cameras are lined up outside the club during the raid. Even if you just walk out, not ticketed, you just might be on the local evening news.

No, but the Black Angus in Roanoke, VA was raided recently and cited for having full nudity when only topless was allowed.

Just get a good lawyer, have it expunged and/or sealed. It will cost money, but depending upon your business, it may be well worth it. If you own your own business, no problem. If you work in the military, it used to be no problem. Nowadays, things are different....A good lawyer can be worth the money.

I never knowingly go to a club that offers extras. The few times that I've encountered them I've never gone back to that club. There are several reasons for this but you've all noted one of them. If that's what you're looking for I think you're better off hiring an escort. In my area a massage parlor (which called itself an Oriental Spa) was recently shut down. I don't know what happened but a few months later another one opened up a couple miles down the road in the next township. They seem to be growing faster than strip clubs around here.

shadowcat, I appreciate you sharing you story. I must admit I am a little suprised that all that happened was citations! To be honest I find it was a relief to hear that, not as worried about it now.

No, but I was headed for a club in Fremont NE (NW of Omaha) once and when I drove past, no one was there, despite being only about 9 pm. I go to the other club in town, and it was more crowded than usual. So I ask one of the dancers why it was so crowded, and she told me the other club got raided that night. So I almost walked into a raid.

chitown, I agree... I'm not worried about having to pay a fine, I am worried that I would have some prositution-type offense on my record of I was simply in the club and not doing anything wrong.

Re: "I was talking to one of the dancers at the time and she told me that the club would pick up and pay all of the citations."

I'm not sure that this really addresses the issue. Even if the club "picks up" all the citations, these aren't like parking tickets, guys. If the citation is simply paid, and depending on the offense charged, you might not want a conviction for it on your record.