Watch CBS News

'Bikini Bar' Decrease In South Bay Credited To KPIX 5 Report

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A KPIX 5 report is being credited with a decrease in 'bikini bars' in the South Bay.

San Jose has been cracking down on businesses breaking rules with scantily clad waitresses offering illegal 'adult entertainment' for a price.

Before a November KPIX 5 report, city councilmember Xavier Campos had no idea his district was home to some of the worst offenders.

"Your story really brought to light that it's happening in more frequency than we see," Campos told KPIX 5.

Authorities say scantily-clad waitresses had gotten increasingly raunchy over the years, with lingerie leading to nudity, and crime wasn't far behind.

Two people were shot and killed at Vietnamese cafes, the most recent victim - just last summer - was a well-liked engineer.

Campos has made it a priority to investigate complaints, using code enforcement officers as his main weapon. Those officers make surprise visits and cite establishments for smoking, gambling, tinted windows, and nude servers.

When the Twin Palms Café opened up along Capital Expressway in East San Jose advertising "good looking waitresses," neighbors complained.

Shortly after the complaint, code enforcement officers stopped in, and the Twin Palms closed its doors for good.

"I am pretty proud of that. My message to them is 'don't do it in San Jose.' If you're gonna open a café, open a café. We want that business here in our city, but we don't want businesses that masquerade themselves and really they're fronts for go-go nightclubs," Campos told KPIX 5.

There are roughly 40 bikini bars operating in the city. Authorities say they are aware of heightened scrutiny from authorities and are largely closing on time. Several other underground clubs continue to pop up. Officers say cracking down on them is similar to playing a game of "whack-a-mole."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.