Six body works businesses in Watertown have been closed indefinitely after being found to be in violation of the City’s new body works regulations.
The inspections aimed at not only ensuring that the businesses were in compliance with the updated regulations, but also “to safeguard residents, legitimate businesses, and potential victims of human trafficking,” according to an announcement on the Watertown Police Department’s social media.
“All six were found to be in violation of regulations set by the Watertown Board of Health, the Building Department, and the Zoning Department, as well as the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure. These establishments will not be permitted to reopen until they meet the required standards established by these agencies,” the Watertown Police announcement said.
The inspections were conducted by the Watertown Health Department, in coordination with Watertown Police, Watertown Zoning and Building Departments, and the Occupational Licensing Division of Massachusetts. The FBI Human Trafficking Task Force also provided assistance.
“This multi-agency initiative has been in development for several months. Historically, certain businesses have operated under the loosely regulated category of ‘Body Works,’ effectively circumventing state massage therapy regulations. This practice has often been exploited by individuals engaged in illicit or unsafe activity, creating public health and safety risks and, in some cases, contributing to human trafficking networks,” the announcement said.
All employees present during the inspections were offered services by the Watertown Police and the FBI Human Trafficking Task Force, including information on victim assistance, outreach contacts, and ways for those seeking help or wishing to report concerns related to exploitation or unsafe working conditions, the Watertown Police said.
The six businesses had recently completed the licensing process to meet City and state regulations. The new regulations were established to provide stronger oversight and clearer licensing requirements “intended to eliminate unlawful practices and ensure that all establishments operate legitimately and responsibly,” according to the announcement.
On a related note, I was walking through Watertown Square recently, and I noticed rather a lot of massage parlors in the area. (I did an internet search to confirm; see for yourselves.) I guess we are the Longwood Medical Center of aches and pains. I have never hired a professional masseur/masseuse myself, here or elsewhere, so I have no comment on the profession, but I did wonder about the concentration in one area. Perhaps after the redesign of the Square, businesses will be diversified beyond rubdowns. At least clients will be able to bike to their appointments!
Although this is bad news, it is good news for the City that all relevant City departments worked in coordination to make this happen.
Since her hiring as our new Health Department director, Abbie Myers has worked tirelessly to improve the health and safety of the citizens and workers in Watertown.
Another new set of guidelines that she spearheaded, the dumpster regulations, is a well-needed regulation in this rat-challenged city!
Congratulations to all City departments involved in working so effectively to eliminate this safety menace in our city! Hopefully, those workers in the businesses involved, if feeling threatened, etc. , will take the opportunity offered to them to get help.
What businesses were found in violation?
Good question. The businesses were not announced by the Police.
According to Boston 25 News:
* Health Hall Bodywork and Spa, 2 Bigelow Ave
* Xiangrikui Inc. dba 77 Spa (Sunflower Spa), 32 Mt. Auburn Street. and
* Sunrise Spa and Bodywork, 409 Mt. Auburn Street
* Gold Finger Foot Spa, 21 Williams Street
* Lucky Spa, 498 Pleasant Street
* Yuan Tai Spa, 56 North Beacon Street
“Since her hiring as our new Health Department director, Abbie Myers has worked tirelessly to improve the health and safety of the citizens and workers in Watertown.”
I have to say that when I have had to complain about noise violations (plural) from a private trash collector (often before 6 am), the Health Department has responded promptly and courteously every time. And when the HD altered its regulations regarding dumpster noise, the early morning pickups stopped altogether. Maybe you can’t fight City Hall, but if you enlist them in your fight, you can win.
Why not disclose which establishments are in question? Another one just opened in Coolidge Square. Across the street there’s been a massage place for years. Is there a legitimate demand/ for so many? Some of them are concealed behind closed drapes that suggests there may be questionable business going on.
Both my massage therapist and my acupuncturist–both fully licensed professionals in full compliance with all regulations–maintain offices in Watertown Square.
These businesses are a valuable resource to the Watertown community, and the reasonable office rents in the current building stock (Yerxa Building, Natoli Building and others) allow these professionals to offer services affordable to the community.
I’m concerned that with the zoning changes, these legitimate and valuable businesses will no longer be able to offer affordable services in places that are accessible, both to seniors and to the wider community.
It is a sign of ignorance to assume that all massage and body work places are venues for sex and sex trafficking. It was mentioned that all workers were offered resources for sex trafficking but did not mention if there were any takers. I’ll bet there were none.
As a person who knows and understands the real health benefits of bodywork, I can attest that you don’t know what you are missing if you have never explored the art and science of bodywork.
Agreed. And it is worth noting that the largest bona fide sex for sale bust was not in Watertown or Coolidge Squares, but in the Arsenal Yards.
Some folks make a lot of assumptions about such things. Most body work businesses are not “fronts”.