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Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - Amsterdam unveiled plans Saturday to close brothels, sex shops and marijuana cafes in its ancient city center as part of a major effort to drive organized crime out of the tourist haven.
The city is targeting businesses that "generate criminality," including gambling parlors, and the so-called "coffee shops" where marijuana is sold openly. Also targeted are peep shows, massage parlors and souvenir shops used by drug dealers for money-laundering. "I think that the new reality will be more in line with our image as a tolerant and crazy place, rather than a free zone for criminals" said Lodewijk Asscher, a city council member and one of the main proponents of the plan. The news comes just one day after Amsterdam's mayor said he would search for loopholes in new rules laid down by the national government that would close marijuana cafes near schools citywide. The measures announced Saturday would affect about 36 coffee shops in the center itself - a little less than 20 percent of the city total. Asscher underlined that the city center will remain true to its freewheeling reputation. "It'll be a place with 200 windows (for prostitutes) and 30 coffee shops, which you can't find anywhere else in the world - very exciting, but also with cultural attractions," he said. "And you won't have to be embarrassed to say you came." Under the plan announced Saturday, Amsterdam will spend euro30 million to euro40 million ($38 million to $51 million) to bring hotels, restaurants, art galleries and boutiques to the center. It will also build new underground parking areas. Amsterdam already had plans to close many brothels and some coffee shops, but plans announced Saturday go further. Asscher said the city would reshape the area, using zoning rules, buying out businesses and offering assistance to upgrade stores. The city has shut brothels and sex clubs in the past by relying on a law allowing the closure of businesses with bookkeeping irregularities. Prostitution will be allowed only in two areas in the district - notably De Wallen ("The Walls"), a web of streets and alleys around the city's medieval retaining dam walls. The area has been a center of prostitution since before the city's golden shipping age in the 1600s. Prostitution was legalized in the Netherlands in 2000, formalizing a long-standing tolerance policy. Marijuana is technically illegal in the Netherlands, but prosecutors won't press charges for possession of small amounts. Coffee shops are able to sell it openly. |
Re: Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes
Quite simply, unlimited anything isn't good. Keeping it in a reasonable check is a good way to prevent many of the issues that Amsterdam has faced the last few years. There will still be windows, there will still be coffee shops, it just won't be a city of nothing but.
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Re: Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes
Define the redlight district and enforce it, simple enough.
If you try to contain it too much, tourism wont be as much of a problem. "Know your role". A large part of the draw to Amsterdam is exactly the stuff they are shutting down. Much like us web pornographers who like to think of ourselves as internet marketers instead, Amsterdam likes to think they're more than they are. Lose sight of that and you also lose business. It's just like Vegas in the early 90's when they decided they should get rid of titties on the strip and add roller coasters instead. A decade or so later, the rollercoasters are gone, the titties are back. Know your role. |
Re: Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes
The red light district was fun. I have been going there since the 70's. Now, you walk just slightly off the beaten track and you are surrounded by very dangerous looking Moluccans trying to sell you bullshit crack. The red light district is not all Amsterdam has to offer and as long as "a" red light district is available, then tourists will still come for the dope and the sex. I agree. I would clean up Centrum and make it safe at night. Its a shame whenever you have sex for sale, the sleazoid pimps take over. Its the same in our end of the game. Not sure why that is, but it just is.
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Re: Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes
In many ways, it is like making prostitution legal and issuing licenses is: A confirmation of legality and a way to keep things clean and under control. Amsterdam is a great city with plenty of history, museums, and great stuff to do, but if the red light (and dope sellers) get out of hand, then you lose some of the more wealthy tourist types (like my parents) who would never go to a place like that because it is "too dangerous" for them.
Balance. I found that in Macau last week too :) |
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Nothing like watching the serious card players at baccarat bending up the cards some serious :) |
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Nothing new just the same morons that make a living by marketing a little coke and pot but stuffing it up thier cunts while travelling from city to city. Or expensing back $600 worth of blow to their clients for entertainment all in the name of being a player. You 2 bitches - and you both know who you are - you arent marketing professionals! Your just dope mules and sperm receptacles for the cool kids. Take a seat. School is about to be in! |
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Re: Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes
paring down isn't going away. Still fun to be had in Amsterdam. :>)
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Europeans Billing Europe!
Wow, this is still in the news every night - organized crime has always controlled sex and drugs - the socially permissive Dutch thought it would be different for them? :scratchin
The organized distribution of hard drugs is what is driving the current problems...remember walking around town with a coffee shop right and left and being accosted to buy cocaine or worse...luckily you can always dive into a Thai restaurant to be safe :o A little clean up will be a good thing. :okthumb: |
Re: Europeans Billing Europe!
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