The City Council of the City of Middletown makes the following legislative findings in support of this regulation of adult entertainment establishments:
(a) Surveys conducted for neighboring communities and conducted by and/or for various municipalities throughout the country concerning the secondary effects of adult entertainment establishments provide substantial evidence that such establishments have a deleterious effect on adjacent residential areas, including the downgrade of property values and increase in crime;
(b) Adult entertainment establishments are used for unlawful sexual activities, including prostitution and sexual liaison of a casual nature;
(c) Adult entertainment establishments pose potential harmful effects on minors exposed to such establishments and their secondary effects;
(d) Adult entertainment establishments have serious objectionable operational characteristics and, therefore, require special supervision from public safety and other agencies of the City to protect and preserve the health, safety and welfare of the patrons of such establishments and the citizens of the City; and
(e) City Council desires to minimize and control these adverse secondary effects so as to protect its citizens from increased crime, preserve the property values and character of surrounding neighborhoods, deter the spread of urban blight, and protect minors from the possible harmful effects of such establishments.
(Ord. O2007-18, passed 2-20-2007)