Grand Rapids says no to sleaze

A federal court has again endorsed an ordinance regulating adult-oriented businesses in Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids has solid, constitutional reasons for adopting the new law, according to attorney Joe Infranco of the Alliance Defense Fund. Infranco says the city considered "secondary effects" when deciding on the ordinance.
 
"[The secondary effects] are well known," he continues. "They are well documented, and the city was within its rights to impose these limits -- and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals found that was the case," says Infranco.
 
The city had a choice between protecting adult-oriented businesses, and protecting its citizens, including children, says the attorney.
 
"When it comes to our children's safety versus a sex shop, our children's safety comes first every time, and the courts saw that and agreed with it," he comments. Infranco stresses the city had ground for imposing the ordinance because of the proven crime associated with the business.
 
Nearly two years ago, shop owners filed the lawsuit, and lost in the lower court. An appeal was filed, and they ended up losing again. Infranco believes further appeals are unlikely.