Four Busted in Fat City Strip Club

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Written by: 195 on Jul 27, 2010

The crackdown in Fat City is underway. Last week, four people at a Fat City strip club were busted for prostitution and drugs.

Selling sports memorabilia has been Mark Channing's business for 12 years. "It's been fairly good. Fairly good," he says.

He owns Markman Sports Cards and Collectibles in Fat City. Business is steady, but so is an increase in shady activity in the area. "You'll see women walking around that you normally don't see and they're scantily clad, and you know what's going on."

But changes are underway. Cops are cracking down on illegal activities. Last week, four people were arrested on charges including prostitution and drug dealing in the strip club Illusions.

"People have told me there's always prostitution and drugs, and this is just proof that it's rampant at this establishment at least." Jefferson Parish Councilwoman Cynthia Lee Sheng says little by little, Fat City's getting an overhaul. She says, "A couple months ago, we closed down an establishment for underage drinking as part of trying to revitalizing this area and realizing the importance of this area, trying to get rid of some of the criminal element."

The parish paid out four million dollars to rehab 18th Street with new sidewalks, lighting and sewerage.

Mark is glad to see things looking better but he's still thinking about a move. "I am considering leaving the area only because the area has gotten worse. I was armed robed in this store months ago and that never happened before," he says. Councilwoman Sheng hopes people like Mark will stay put. "The crackdowns that you see going on -- we're making things happen. It's not the time to leave Fat City. It's the time to invest here," she says.

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