News Briefs

Court upholds 2-foot rule

LA HABRA “”mdash; A federal appeals court upheld the city’s
law requiring strip club dancers to stay at least 24 inches from
customers.

The ordinance was designed to target lap dancing, which is
responsible for prostitution, crime, drug use and disease, the city
said.

In a 3-0 ruling on Wednesday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals rejected arguments by Bill Badi Gammoh, owner of the
city’s only adult-entertainment club, and several lap dancers
that the ordinance is unconstitutional.

City to add 250 officers

The City Council approved a plan that would add 250 officers to
the Police Department.

Hiring would begin this summer under Councilman Greig
Smith’s proposal.

“˜”˜This gives us a quick fix, a short-term fix, and
it gets us through a dark time,” Smith said.

The city will pay for the officers by borrowing against an
expected $62.5 million payment from the state. The money would pay
for the officers for a few years, then a new source of funds would
have to be found.

Additionally on Wednesday, the council voted 10-5 to ask the
city attorney to draft a ballot measure for the May 17 general
election that would pay for roughly 1,200 additional officers by
raising the sales tax from 8.25 percent to 8.75 percent.

“˜”˜Drawing down on money owed to us from Sacramento
will enable us to address our immediate needs, but does not go far
enough to maintain and sustain growth over the long
term,” Mayor James K. Hahn said in a statement.

With reports from Bruin wire services.