Legislation targeting prostitution hot spots and under-the-radar strip clubs was approved Tuesday by the Prince George’s County Council as the lawmakers concluded their legislative year.

A measure proposed by Councilwoman Andrea Harrison (D-Dist. 5) of Springdale allows Prince George’s County police to establish temporary “prostitution-free” zones, in which officers would have greater powers to arrest suspected offenders.

Harrison introduced the bill after listening to the concerns of Fairmount Heights residents, who said they have been dealing with prostitution along Eastern Avenue, along the border of Washington, D.C., for years.

“[This] would greatly benefit our historic town,” Mayor Lillie Thompson-Martin told the council Tuesday. “For too long we’ve been plagued by the crime and negativity that accompanies prostitution.”

The town’s police chief, Donoven Brooks, told The Gazette in October that children walking to bus stops in the morning can see the garbage, including condoms, left by prostitutes and their customers.

The bill, modeled after similar legislation adopted in Washington, D.C., in 2007, allows officers to arrest people for gathering in the zones even if no overt prostitution offenses are observed. It would be illegal for two or more people to loiter in a zone after an officer orders them to disperse. Offenders suspected of being in the area to engage in prostitution and who do not leave the zone when instructed could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Charges for violating a zone would be filed in addition to charges for other prostitution-related offenses officers may observe.

The bill was endorsed Tuesday by Maj. George Nader, District 3 commander for the county police, who said it was an excellent foundation for ridding communities in Prince George’s of prostitution.

Another bill, proposed by Councilman Eric Olson (D-Dist. 3) of College Park, takes aim at businesses that operate as one type of establishment, such as an auto repair shop, during the day and as a strip club at night.

Under previous zoning regulations, there was no specific category for adult entertainment — such as nude dancing or other performances intended to “sexually arouse” customers — and businesses could legally offer such shows as long as they had use-and-occupancy permits, which classify them as establishments such as auditoriums or lodges.

Legislation passed by the council last year requires new businesses providing adult entertainment to get a special permit, and the bill passed Tuesday extends that requirement to existing establishments.

During the special permitting process, community members would be able to offer testimony about whether they want an adult entertainment venue in their area, according to Olson.

“This issue is critical to us,” County Police Chief Mark Magaw told the council Tuesday, adding that police had seen numerous examples of businesses becoming adult venues at night. He said the bill would give them power to regulate such businesses.

Magaw stressed that adult entertainment would still be allowed in county as long as the businesses had the proper permits.

Both bills passed unanimously.

dleaderman@gazette.net