By Associated Press - Thursday, April 18, 2019

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) - Authorities say six Davenport massage businesses have been shut down because they haven’t complied with the city’s new ordinance on licensing.

Police say no arrests were made Tuesday as a city enforcement team visited the establishments. Officials say complaints have been received about illegal activity occurring inside the businesses. City officials and victims’ rights groups say massage parlors are a common front for human trafficking and illegal sex work.

The ordinance approved in March says massage therapists must be licensed by the state and reflexologists - people who massage feet, ears, hands - must be licensed by the city.



The enforcement team placed code violation notices on the doors of the six massage parlors.

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