A Case Of Selective Enforcement?

You may have seen the articles recently on the bikini clad coffee barristas in Bellevue Washington. This article, Bellevue bikini espresso stand told to close its drive-thru, provides some fairly serious issues - whether you support the businesses means of attracting customers or not.

A few of the more choice, anti-business quotes:

"Bellevue Deputy Mayor Claudia Balducci said during Monday's city council meeting that residents should shame Knotty Bodies customers by taking photos of the patrons and posting them on the Internet."

"Balducci also said residents should boycott the Chevron gas station where the espresso stand is located."

"The city council asked city staff to find ways of "aggressively" enforcing codes that pertain to Knotty Bodies. The council also asked staff to research further regulations that could restrict such businesses in the future."

First thing that comes to mind is that the city should always be aggressively enforcing its code. The comments suggest that they do not. If they do not, then a civil rights challenge may be hanging out there for the city.

But of even greater concern is that the city is encouraging people to boycott a business they do not like AND to try to embarrass people just for buying a cup of joe. It sounds like a city out of control.