Karaoke ban angers singers, but police cite links to crime

January 22, 2004

SAN MATEO, Calif. (AP) – A temporary ban on private rooms in karaoke clubs is being criticized as insensitive to Asian Americans, but city officials say it’s needed because people have been using the rooms for a lot more than singing.
The private singing rooms, which seat up to 20 people and sometimes have locking doors and no windows or security cameras, are increasingly being used as fronts for prostitution, drug use, gambling and alcohol consumption among minors, police say.
The San Mateo City Council voted Tuesday to impose a temporary ban on the private rooms in this Silicon Valley suburb, but karaoke fans contend the fears of crime are overblown.
They say the private karaoke rooms are a godsend for shy singers, and are used much more often for birthday parties and private reunions than any lurid affairs in San Mateo County, where one of every four residents is of Asian descent.

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