Amsterdam To Close Many Of Its Brothels, Marijuana Cafes, Sex Shops

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — 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.

Comments

[teapartydude]

So making it all illegal will reduce crime?

What a bunch of crap.

[mscreant]

I have been going there for the last 7 years for pot-tourism and I can tell you that this is an overreaction. I was just there for the cup last month and the atmosphere is as it always is....mell­ow and munchie. I think what will happen - sad as it is - is that the older and smaller shops, some as small as your closet, will close and the newer ones will open more locations. It's already happening with Barney's and Dampkring. Good thing with those too - as they are the best in town IMHO.

[kellygrrrl]

maybe we should worry about our own problems and let other countries deal with theirs.

[petecook5]

Well...whe­n they legalize prostitution and marijuana here, I'll stop being concerned with Amsterdam.

[JADE2002]

Nooooooooo­oooooooooo­oooooo!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!

[IndyReader]

If prostitution is legal, and smoking marijuana/hashish isn't prosecuted, then where is the organized crime coming from?

[bsc]

there is also child prostitution trafficking. Poorman is right most Dutch prostitutes are perfectly legit and pay taxes

[valkyrie607]

Marijuana isn't prosecuted, but it's still illegal, so the only suppliers are organized crime.

[KarateKid]

Hard drugs, like cocaine and heroin; human trafficking from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia; money laundering, you name it.

[idealisticNM]

I thought that since these activities were legal, that it helps keep down crime ? Why is there organized crime if these things are legal ?

Anyway,
LOVE Amsterdam very much. We've enjoyed ourselves so much while there in the past. And the rest of the country is amazing, too ! Amsterdam's coffee shops are just a great place to unwind after a day of sightseeing their wonderful museums, fantastic architecture, and other awesome sights. But admit it, those hash bars are niiice...

Notice also that the article states that the coffeeshops to be closed are those in the notorious Red Light District. There are tons of great--in fact, BETTER ones--coffeeshops all the city (and country). Pot will still be legal. And to be truthful, the coffeeshops within the Red Light District, while lotsa fun, are the most dodgy ones.

[orangepetal]

It could be that hard drugs like heroin are the problem, and there is also a sex slave problem all over that is a very serious concern.

[elcojonu]

Welcome to the 21st. Century.
Every major city in the world has either those or some other problems.

[KarateKid]

I agree, there are coffee shops all over the Netherlands. I've been to the ones in Utrecht, Maastrict, The Hague, not to smoke, but to drink Amstel and Heineken, which are fantastic over there, and the atmosphere is very genteel. The ones in the Amsterdam Red Light district are kind of sleezy.

[jkpcguru]

oh my god, this is terrible. Amsterdam. how could you. I need to go on my Eurotrip before its too late.

[elcojonu]

I better start thinking of a way to keep this news from my buddy Nick.
Everytime he goes to Italy he goes by way of Amsterdam.

[thegirlnextdoor]

It looks like the headline is a tad misleading. What they want to do in Amsterdam is to get rid of the organized crime and get back to what it was when I lived there in the 1970's - crazy and fun and charming. They are not outlawing any of the things mentioned, just trying to get rid of the organized crime elements and get back to a home grown feeling about it all.

[Amennyc]

Sadly it is not the Dutch who are creating the problems..­.. those from the outside.

[Icarus512]

So true... I really wish they would make it ilegal to sell any of it to tourists, because they are ruining it for all of us.
It's thanks to the idiot drug tourists that mushrooms are illegal now... who knows what they'll ruin next?

[scornflakes]

I propose that we make Toledo, Ohio the new Amsterdam! Wanna?

[elcojonu]

How about New York, it used to be New Amsterdam at one time.

[Ramirez]

Las Vegas. Let's see someone top that.

[elcojonu]

Vegas has no Street Life.

[petecook5]

Now there's a pathetic place to live or visit... PinkC2.

[Tomhere]

How about my house? If I could FIND some weed I would smoke it right here. AND - being married costs me about an extra $600 a month and I get laid once or twice a month, so......

[Hilodave]

Yes... I'm all for cracking down on the criminal elements but I hope the city government doesn't change what makes Amsterdam one of best places in the world to visit....O­ld world charm mixed with enlightened
policies regarding sex and drugs....a­t least cannabis. It is truly one best cities in the world and a convenient base for traveling anywhere in Europe or beyond. Great architecture, museums, shopping streets. It's easy to get around with trains, trams, walking or biking. We usually rent a a flat in the Jordan sector by the week...nic­er than a hotel, less expensive and near the street markets and within walking distance of Central Station. Taxis are expensive to say the least.

[elcojonu]

Who Capital of the World !

[Annieke]

Next time you should also visit The Hague, also a city with great museums, wonderfull shopping streets (close to the palace of the Queen with a risk of bumping into her in a nice little antique shop), great international atmosphere due to the many embassies, International Court of Justice and its many employees. Not to mention the great (modern) architecture of the many new buildings of the Dutch Departments all around the center of the city.

One thing they share with Amsterdam taxis....e­xpensive. But then again public transport is cheap and safe, even at night.

[GayGrandpa]

I loved Amsterdam.­..oh I was there five weeks in 83...it was wild and fun...I had the best whoppie in the basement of a bar, it was pitch black...la­ter when I met up with my lover he said how is your night going I just smiled and said I was having a great time. He slugged me in the arm and laughed that was me stupid! And then we both laughed, I always did have a good eye...even in the dark.

[LeftLeanWing]

"It'll be a place with 200 windows (for prostitutes) ....." he said. "And you won't have to be embarrassed to say you came."

LOL !!

[elcojonu]

The Culture seekers go there to admire the paintings.
The rest of us to admire and indulge in the other things the city has to offer.
Different strokes for different folks; that's what the Amsterdam experience has been all about all these years.
Bet their tourism trade will fall from this move.

[d0nkey0tay]

Not embarrassed to say "you came." They will probably need to filter out fatties, midgets, shims, and beasts while limiting to 200 windows.

[cornagainstsorcery]

It's not a huge deal. Sadly, though, psilocybin is now no longer allowed to be sold through the "smart shops".