Jenkintown Officials Seek To Shut Down Spa Where Past Crimes Occurred
By Brad Segall
JENKINTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - A Montgomery County judge is considering whether to issue a preliminary injunction that would force a Jenkintown spa, which has been the scene of criminal activity in the past, to close its doors.
Officials in Jenkintown say the Sunshine Oriental Health Spa, located in the 100-block of Old York Road, has ignored an order from June 5th to immediately stop operating. They contend online advertisements for the spa have continued.
The borough is trying to shut the spa down because of three separate raids by Pennsylvania State Police in 2005, 2008 and 2011. Those raids resulted in convictions on prostitution and disorderly conduct charges.
"We feel it's important to protect the people of Jenkintown and the people that may be working in this spa from continued prostitution and criminal activity," says Attorney Sean Kilkenny, who represents Jenkintown borough.
Kilkenny says their use and occupancy certificate is contingent on there being no criminal convictions at the property.
The spa is appealing the revocation of its permit. Their attorney says an injunction isn't necessary because a hearing on their appeal is scheduled for next month.
