DATE: Sunday, June 1, 1997                  TAG: 9706010099

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 

DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS                      LENGTH:   26 lines

GRAND JURY: HOLD A VOTE ON SELLING ADULT VIDEOS

Some video stores here are renting or selling obscene adult videos and their owners should be prosecuted, a special grand jury has ruled.

But the jury, convened nearly two years ago, has recommended the city first hold a public referendum on the sale of adult videos.

Other recommendations included putting ratings on videos, establishing guidelines for displaying or advertising the videos and requiring special permits to deal in explicit material.

Barring adult video sales or rentals would merely cause problems, the grand jurors wrote, because prohibition drives businesses underground and promotes crime. It also would mean no tax revenue for the city.

Newport News Mayor Joe Frank said Friday he won't comment until the city's attorney can review the grand jury's recommendations and advise whether they are legal and enforceable.

The grand jury review was prompted by community activist Teddy Marks, who complained in June 1995 that local video stores were openly advertising X-rated videos for sale or rent.

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