Saugus selectmen: We have little control over Route 1 hotels

SAUGUS – Saugus Selectman Stephen Horlick said that while there have been “issues with all the motels up and down Route 1,” the Board of Selectmen has limited oversight of the businesses.”We don’t have any oversight unless they have an entertainment license,” Horlick said. “The police are the ones who do the investigations and whatever investigations they’re involved with, either federal or state, they turn it over to them. If there is any licensing then the chief would send something to us.”Saugus Police and the FBI arrested seven people last week on prostitution charges after a joint undercover operation at the Holiday Inn Express on Route 1.The nationwide sweep, called Operation Cross Country, was aimed at stopping the exploitation of underage children through prostitution, according to a press release from the FBI.According to past police logs, officers have responded to that same Holiday Inn Express eight times since April: three times for disturbance calls, three for unwanted party calls, once for a suspicious activity call and once for a medical call.Board of Selectmen Vice Chairman Steve Castinetti said Route 1 presents an easy escape route for criminals.”Prostitution today is all Internet-based so it’s tough to track down,” Castinetti said. “Route 1 is an easy access. Not just Saugus, but anywhere. Saugus, Lynnfield, Peabody, Danvers. You can get in and out of there very easily at any time. Look at the bank robberies we have. They’re not robbing banks in small towns because you can’t get out of them. They’re trying to hit places with easy access. Same thing with the drug traffic, same thing with the prostitution. It’s unfortunate.”Castinetti also noted that hotels don’t require a licensing approval from the Board of Selectmen, while Horlick said the only time he can remember representatives from one of the hotels appearing before the board was to obtain a variance for a height restriction when the Red Roof Inn was first built.”We can’t overstep our boundaries,” Horlick said. “That’s why if there are issues then the Police Department can look into getting the Board of Health up there to make sure the place is sanitary or they can get the building inspector up there to make sure it’s up to code.”Assistant Saugus Police Chief Lt. Leonard Campanello said police work with hotel managers, who are required to keep a register of all guests, to keep crime in check.”As far as what goes on inside the rooms ? if there’s illegal activity we rely on that information from hotel management or in this case from prostitution Internet postings,” said Campanello. “Crimes like prostitution, they have to occur in a room. That’s where you’re going to find it in a hotel. But I don’t think there’s any more crimes at these hotels than any other establishments that house people or that have rented rooms.”Campanello said last week’s sting sends a message that police “are watching.””We are watching and we are watching the same pages that they advertise in,” said Campanello. “We’ll do what’s necessary lawfully to help protect juveniles from being exploited this way.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].