[Grumpybear]

Actor Fred Willard arrested for lewd conduct in LA | Reuters

[jonn3]

I just don't understand it. Everyone know what those places are for - why are they surprised?

It should be that by entering you accept you might see activity going on -

And I wonder if the cops went after the guys with drugs or just arrested Fred Willard....

[Grumpybear]

Simply put, public decency laws do not end at the door of a business. Our ABS in Troy, NY was closed, and remains closed after three years of legal fighting, because customers engaged in sexual acts in the video arcade area without closing the doors to their booths. One of the ABS in Syracuse was the scene of several arrests of customers for public acts.

No matter where you are; if you are engaged in any sexual activity where others may unwilllingly observe you, you can be arrested by a police officer or even a "concerned citizen".

If a cop or "concerned citizen" makes an arrest for public indecency in a theatre or ABS, the business has only two choices; go along with the charges or close their doors.

[jonn3]

I get the legal reason - it just seems stupid (although a lot of laws do). I wonder if they could set up a theater / ABS under the same rules as a bath house.

[Grumpybear]

Jonn3, it depends on the local. Here in NY state, it is illegal to build any structure, room or booth to facilitate sexual activity. Of course, if the booth is built with purpose of showing movies or a small room set aside as a dressing room in a "gym"; it has a purpose separate from sexual activity. And it also depends on what law enforcement agency you are under. Some are more tolerant than others, or some can be pur$uaded to look the other way.

[KewlDewd66]

Why would reasonably successful guy risk his career, and consequently his good living by being this daft?

KD