Strip Club with a History of Problems Under New Court Injunction

March 24, 2009 - San Francisco, CA

A Tenderloin strip club that has been beset with complaints of violence and noise issues will have to abide by a strict set of rules after San Francisco judge instated an injunction Tuesday agreed to by both the club owners and city officials.

Pink Diamonds, which is housed in a building owned by Entertainment Commissioner Terrance Alan, will have to install security cameras and lights outside the building at 220 Jones Street, keep noise inside the building, clean up the area around the building every night, hire a "reputable" security company, and post employees at entrances and exits.

The business owners -- listed as Damone Smith, Ed Pope and D.H.S. Global Investments -- will also have to record all complaints in a log, create a monthly report of those complaints and how they are handled, and present the log at the Tenderloin Police Station's monthly meeting. If they don't obey by the injunction, the owners could face fines starting at $2,500.

The strip club (formerly Club Vixen) has been a source of complaints by neighbors and police about violent incidents and illegal activity for two years.

Alan said Tuesday that he had not seen the injunction yet.

"All I want is my tenants to behave and be good neighbors," he said. "If they can't do that then they should leave. Up until now they have had a rocky road of accomplishing those goals. Hopefully the injunction will define what needs to be done."

Some critics have questioned whether the strip club hasn't been shuttered because of Alan's seat on the Entertainment Commission, but he was quick to note that no strip clubs are required to hold an entertainment permit in San Francisco. However, under the terms of the injunction, the club must abide by the same laws that govern permitted venues.