Take a closer look at the picture the Star posted on its website of the house being used to operate an illegal pea shake house at 1410 W. Roache Street. Anyone notice the windows are boarded up? You can't tell from this photo, but WRTV's video report showed a sophisticated surveillance system affixed to the exterior of the house as well. Keeping in mind that this house is located in a residential neighborhood, is occupied and being used for commercial purposes, can anyone explain to me why a DMD inspector hasn't cited the owner of the house for the obvious zoning violations? I've represented homeowners who've been dragged into the environmental court for violations that are petty compared to the open and obvious violations going on here. Now, contrast the city's hands-off approach towards the pea shake houses with the heavy hand it has used to put Miss Ann and her harmless, non-sexual dominatrix business known as THE REFORMATORY out of business. A press release from Mayor Peterson announced, "The Mayor joined neighborhood leaders, daycare staff and Indianapolis Police Chief Michael Spears to discuss the closure of The Reformatory, an illegal sex shop located in the historic Chatham Arch neighborhood across the street from a youth daycare." The release continued, "The Reformatory sold various adult items related to masochism and erotic torture and advertised weekly sessions onsite teaching domination and masochistic practices." "Illegal, adult businesses like the Reformatory have no place in neighborhoods, especially in and around schools, daycare centers, parks and other locations where our children play and learn," said Mayor Peterson.
THE REFORMATORY isn't anything approaching an "illegal sex shop" as Mayor Peterson falsely described it. As Miss Ann points out in response to the Mayor's press release, her "#1 selling product of THE REFORMATORY was male chastity devices used to keep men chaste and to prevent promiscious sex and adultery." "THE REFORMATORY carried $20,000 in fine art inventory and regularly put money directly into the pockets of local artists and craftsmen," Miss Ann said. "Weekly discussion groups were focused on teaching strong relationship foundations built in a trust dynamic," she added. Although the Mayor defended his actions based on neighborhood complaints, the record shows the city manufactured those complaints to make its case for closing the business. There's much more you can read about the Gastapo-like tactics Mayor Peterson and his administration used to put Miss Ann's THE REFORMATORY out of business by clicking here. This is just another example of why the rule of law matters. This administration shows time and time again that our city is not being governed by the written law.
With the GOP County Slating Convention coming up tomorrow, do you know how the various candidates for Party Chair and Mayor stand on Peashakes and Dominatrices? Pro or con?
ReplyDeleteThe point, Wilson, is that current laws do not allow the establishments.
ReplyDeleteThey're residences, operating a commercial business. The main reason zoning is present, is to protect neighborhoods, and to protect visitors to commercial businesses...their safety is in serious question in a building such as the one shown here.
Why must you continuously obfuscate the basic premise here: the laws were broken. Just like they originally were at 300 East.
But to stick on this subject: commercial businesses, in a residentially-zoned neighborhood, are inappropriate, unsafe and hurt home values.
Put one next to you if you love em so much.
And try to stay focused on the subject at hand.
Please everybody ignore Wilson. He simply does not deserve a response. This is serious stuff and deserves equally serious debate.
ReplyDeletePlease everybody ignore anonymous nobodies hiding behind fake identities. They simply do not deserve a response. This is serious stuff and deserves equally serious debate.
ReplyDeleteThe Gypsy (pea shake) House has long been a provider of employment for persons deemed unemployable (usually minority, male and an ex-offender).
ReplyDeleteI've known Mr. Howard and I grew up with his sons, Lance and Dana. They own a nice home in Butler Tarkington, in addition to the Roache Street property off Harding.
Ticket and number joints are not NEW in Indianapolis. Please cease with the hateration.
Who owns the property at 1410 W. Roache Street? Might be interesting to know. How about it Gary, can you check it out? Who pays the property tax?
ReplyDeleteFollow the Money.
ReplyDeleteState and/or federal law enforcement officials and prosecutors need to come in and clean this up.
Clearly local public officials and law enforcement leadership are negligent, complacent, if not corrupt.
HOWARD, JAMES S & FLORENCE E own the property at 1410 W Roache according to the property records freely available on IndyGov.org
ReplyDeleteIs the anonymous nobody at 8:02pm insinuating that Republican County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi is getting payoffs and is negligent, corrupt and/or complacent? Say it aint so!
ReplyDeleteToday I drove by another pea shake house just south of 38th & Keystone (east side of the street) Many cars there. Lots of empty Budweiser & Sunkist orange boxes on the ground outside. The same thing with the windows boarded up. That must be a fire & safety violation. Especially if there are a lot of people in the place. There were about 30 cars in the parking lot. How can all those people escape if there is a fire or emergency? That's why there are zoning laws, a building code and a fire code - to protect people in commercial enterprises. If you think pea shakes should be legal, Sen. Howard should sponser a bill. They should be licensed, properly pay taxes, adhere to all zoning, fire and safety laws just like any other business. Then there would be no problem with them.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that the city will board the windows up on an old house it deems unfit for occupancy, but these guys do it to occupy them for their illegal purposes and the city says nothing about it.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Sheriff Buford "Walking Tall" Pusser when he's needed?
ReplyDeleteHe also had an illegal gambling ring established in rural Tennessee. Finally he managed to shut down the gambling and it cost him his life.
Some Democrats would rather just run interference for the illegal gambling (in exchange for payoffs?) than do what's proper and just.
Back in the early '90's, when I was a young lawyer in the PD's office, the Vice Squad would issues citations to the gamblers and operators of these joints about 3 times a year. They'd be charged with unlawful gambling and/or visiting a common nuisance. I can't remember ever seeing one of the operators ever being charged with anything other than maintaining a common nuisance. Back then, Manny Bell would represent the gamblers. Sometimes, the state would dismiss all the charges if one person would plead. But that was rare.
ReplyDeleteThe reality of the whole thing is that it is a hold over of the racist past. White Indianapolis would penalize these places periodically as a fine or cost of business. Otherwise, they'd leave the blacks alone as long as they paid the periodic "fine."
Now, I remember when Bradford was trying to pass legislation against these nuisances, hearing black council members saying things like, "this is black culture, it's our history, blah, blah, blah." Which, to me, is a way of saying Black culture is all about illegal gambling, prostitution and drugs. (G. Howard may have joined in with this those in this crowd),
Anyway, it seems to me that if one tolerates these nuisances as part of black life, that tey don't hurt nothing (sic), one is taking a very condescending view of blacks. It's like double racism. The institutional whites expect it, tax it via fines every so often, and the hacks like Glen Howard, reap the beneifits of a protection racket. Who suffers? EVERYONE THAT HAS TO LIVE IN THESE BAD NEIGHBORHOODS! I have nothing against many so called vices. I just don't want them in my neighborhood. Doesn't every one have this right? It makes me sick to see something blatently illegal being condoned by an elected official. It's criminal. Same with a public building having a bar! AGhhhhh.
So, is the owner of this peashake house Glenn Howards son? I don't believe they are not related. This need further investigating.
ReplyDelete"HOWARD, JAMES S & FLORENCE E own the property at 1410 W Roache according to the property records freely available on IndyGov.org"
ReplyDeleteThe city nees to go after the property owners
I find it awfully hypocritical regarding the subject of gambling.
ReplyDeleteThe Colts won the Super Bowl. Everybody from the governor and the mayor made bets on their team with the opposing governor and mayor. Were these bets illegal? What about all of the office pools in government building and private businesses during the World Series, NBA Playoffs, NCAA, 500 Mile Race, Brickyard 400, holes in Golf Tournaments, dogs and Harness races at the Indiana State Fair. These bets are not regulated, nor do the winners pay any taxes on the money.
Indiana has legalized every form of illegal gambling thus far the lottery, Casinos, Pull Tabs, Pari-mutual betting, bingo parlors, why not peas shakes? The Catholic Church was known for bingo and numbers games, and was never raided when they held bingo games and ran their numbers weekly. So what is the big deal now. Could it be a question of economic racism? Gambling is gambling. Laws were violated in the 300 East Bar/Restaurant where no enforcement was used. Mayor Peterson has not spoken on the subject to date. Why all the fuss? Think about it.
Is city going to prosecute the pea shake owners for alleged zoning violations like they did the dominatrix? Why didn't the mayor hold a press conference and write a press release similar to the one which appears on the dominatrix' site?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't the Mayor care about protecting the neighborhoods of little black children too?
Black culture, yeah it's a common excuse.
ReplyDeleteWhat's not common is a decent and respectful reply like this...
"Change or develop the culture into something with long lasting benefits."
It's like good math skills is part of the asian culture. Same goes for Jews; they have a culture strong in intelligence, and art. Black culture would benefit from moving away from the murders that are mostly (75%) black on black to something along the lines of engineering, or at least something that doesnt leave a trail of crime.
Anyone else tired of hearing victim stories from the black community? I want to hear survivor stories!
Stereotype much?
ReplyDeletejust a bunch of right wingwers that need to get a life ir a little to occupy thier non existant life
ReplyDelete752.. you talking to me?
ReplyDeleteWilson,, the pea shakes have been around for years, and ALL the politicians have ignored them. They get busted, wait a few minutes, then start right back up.
I always wanted to go and see what it's all about, but I was told they don't allow white people in there. Just like 300 East!
You are quite misinformed about 300 East - if you arent a gangbanger or thug, you will be welcome at 300 East. White hoods are not acceptable attire.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth: I've never been in a peashake house myself - I dont gamble - I voted against the Lottery. Peashake operators tend to be wary of unknown whitefolk popping in - if you've got money and a steady customer as a sponsor initially, I'm sure they'd take your cash!
hmmmm...you've never been to one, Wilson, but you seem to know their operational scheme?
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
Do they take plastic?
FYI: Within the next 30 days, the US Attorney/DOJ will be investigating peashakes and issuing warrants/raids. Bottom line, they are looking for names of those associated with the pea shake establishments and campaign contributions. Several politicians have been targeted so I suggest they voluntarily get shut down or face federal indictments. You have been warned.
ReplyDeleteWilson often does the "pickups" because no one will suspect him of having more than a few nickles in his pocket.
ReplyDeleteSenator Howard's Wife's name is Florence.
ReplyDeleteNothing is wrong with the picture it is a perfetly good picture its some oif the idots looking at it
ReplyDelete