The correct name is the Pines at North Park. Kate Schlei and Angela Tisch moved to the Pines at North Park because of the park-like setting and the feeling of safety at the upscale San Jose apartment complex. But come to think of it, she said, she had seen a lot more men coming and going at all hours, when she mainly used to see women and children.
The brothel was one of two San Jose police closed down last week, bringing to 10 the number shut down in the past year, usually after neighbors complain. Greg Albin. According to police, Gerald Courtney, 57, the school official, and Hsiu Hwa Chou, 41, were arrested for running brothels at Technology Drive and 80 Descanso Drive. The arrests came after search warrants were served at the homes of the suspects in Milpitas and San Francisco.
Courtney will be arraigned Thursday on four counts of pimping and prostitution. Chou, who is scheduled to enter a plea on the same day, faces the same charges. What has fueled the opening of more neighborhood brothels is the easy availability of free advertising on the Internet, he said.
But the heavy foot traffic of customers often gives them away, leading to neighborhood complaints. Roxanne Panicacci, a resident of the Pines, said she was surprised the neighborhood brothels were detected at all.
Anyone who suspects there is a brothel operating in their neighborhood may call or crime prevention at to file a complaint. Contact Linda Goldston at lgoldston mercurynews. By Linda Goldston Mercury News.
