Take Action Snohomish County

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Who We Are:
We are a group of concerned citizens who are demanding that our city, county and state governments enforce the current municipal codes and close the loopholes that allow businesses that operate as adult entertainment businesses to go unregulated and unenforced. These business are licensed as something other than adult entertainment businesses yet still conduct business just as an adult entertainment business would. These business are allowed to break all the rules that legitimate adult entertainment businesses can't, including hire workers under the age of 17, display lewd and offensive signage, bare their breasts and buttocks to the public in lewd and offensive ways etc. If licensed and enforced these businesses would simply not be allowed to operate in our family neighborhoods and they would have to follow the rules that are already established for their industry. We want to protect our rights and our children's rights not to be exposed to their X-rated behavior or their nudity....but so far...our city and county officials...have not responded appropriately. Until they do, we will keep up the fight.

Latest Developments:
Summary of Complaints: Adult Oriented Barista Issue

District #3 Aide: Kimberly Cole: Policy Project from April 2008- October 12, 2009

Complaints: 122

History:

In mid 2008 three complaints came in via email regarding the converting of several area drive thru espresso stands. New attire included bathing suits and lingerie. The complaints were validated as not breaking laws, health code or safety laws currently in place.

In August of 2008, complaint of a traditionally lingerie attired barista stand debuted the first complaint of exposed breasts containing only pasties over the areola region and thong undergarments, and that has remained the attire complained about with the addition of new novelty like opaque body paints.

The advertising of several businesses signs were complained about that advertised the women and adult entertainment content bannered. Among those complained of: "sexy baristas" "flash Friday", "XXX nude girls", "Good coffee, better boobs", "We make you cum twice" and "Horny Girls" among others. Construction occurred on two area stands to increase window area of the structures.

Complaints about legality, location, visibility and impacts became more common than lack of dress. The buildings compositions of full visibility glass doors, windows and enclosures ensued. Troubled commercial land owners who had transferred leases of failing non adult coffee establishments, started new leases of failed/ empty stands, or experienced progression of the business model, complained about the ordinary business classification after learning they did not have remedies under a breach of declared use. Complaints by residential and business neighbors grew as they lost customers and quiet enjoyment of their homes and offices. Some businesses affronted to the content and displeased with the impacts moved. This led to more land owner complaints citing lost revenue to their vacant spaces, claiming prospects repeatedly rejected the location due to the adult content on premise, adjacent or in disreputable view.

Originators of complaints:

Those complaining are commercial land owners, neighboring/adjacent or shared space businesses, residential homeowners, lay people of any and all ages passing as walkers, bikers and motorists, elementary and secondary schools, places of worship, senior facilities, sex offender treatment professionals and daycares.

The nature of complaints:

Attire: Pasties, thongs, sheer garments and body paint

Behavior: Baristas acting in a lewd and provacative manner. Simulating sex acts for public view.

Comments & Letters:

From a Mom: Click here to read her comments to the Snohomish County Council on 10/19/09
Latest e-mail message from Dave Gosset sent 11/20/09:Click here to read Councilman Dave Gossett's email We have requested the documents that Dave Gossett signed....Tune in for more!

Please check back soon and spread the word that this web site exists.

This website is not finished...and neither is the fight!...Please check back soon!

Immediate action you can take to keep pressure on our elected officials and code enforcers:

Change your language:
Stop using the term "Bikini Barista" . The term "Bikini" confuses the issue. Many people who have not witnessed the actual behavior of the lewd coffee stands in our area do not understand exactly what and why we are fighting. Use your language to educate the opposition. Use the term "Adult Entertainment" Coffee Stands or "Lewd" Coffee Stands. We need to call it what it is according to The Snohomish county code in chapter 6 code (specifically, 6.25.040.) (click link to view)
Call 911:
The Snohomish Co. Sheriff's office has told us to call 911, state that it is a non-emergency and Report any lewd behavior that is observed and displayed in public. The Snohomish County Sheriff's office has let us know that they do not have to see the behavior to take a report or issue a violation.They have actually encouraged us to keep them informed. The more complaints and reports, the better our case is in court.
Travel with your camera and video recorder:
You can legally take pictures and videos of anything that you can see from public view. These pictures can be used as evidence. A picture speaks louder than words and a video may speak even louder!
Do not support Businesses that frequent "Adult Entertaiment" Coffee stands:
We are compiling a list of these businesses and have them available on our web site under "Boycott List". Feel free to submit names of companies and information to add to our list.
Vote according to your convictions:
The main reason we are in this predicament is because our council members were not proactive and still are reluctant to take action. Furthermore, our Auditor's office who oversees the licensing dept. and the county prosecutors office are turning their backs to the issue and have not properly enforced the code that is already on the books. We will post a list the elected officials who support us and those who don't .