Deseret News | Reader comments: Police raid novelty shop inside Layton Hills Mall

Reader comments
Police raid novelty shop inside Layton Hills Mall

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mom | 3:21 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

It's about time

awesomeron | 3:34 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Spencer Gifts has always been on the cutting edge of the strange. As far as I can see a whole story was pulled that I spent quite a bit of time commenting on. So I will try harder to paint between the lines. I realize that there is not a total Theocracy in Utah and that you have strong laws on what can be sold to Minors and I am all for that. Spencers is the closest thing to a legal Head Shop that you are going to get in a lot of places. If you want or need that kind of stuff order it on the Internet. Or if you can't do that and can't live without it move. It appears unlike where I live, you enforce Status Offenses, good for you and I mean that in a good way. My question is! Why would you even let a Minor in a Store where there where items sold in the store that the Minor cannot buy. You are either an Adult Store or an everybody store. A lot of the Minors are just looking, but should they be? Not so much I think. Spencers needs to clean up.

In the Shape of | 5:12 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

a genital...hmmn sounds fishy to me!

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 5:57 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

grow up utah,your young are brain washed.

newgrl | 6:25 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Are you all kidding me? Spencers has been around for YEARS. And it's everywhere. In every mall in america. They sell the exact same merchandise in each of their stores. This is absolutely insane. The joke merchandise is *only* funny to 16-year-olds. Man... only in Utah.

Larry | 6:31 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

I am sure the Police will uild a case on suspicion
with the Prosecuting Attorney on the Job
These Attorneys have an obligation to both parties
However they seem not to know that and innocent people are jailed

arc | 6:38 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

With the online comments about Blue Boutique vs what you can get if you are 15 at Spencers' stores, I was surprised it took this long. What about Fashion Place Mall location?

Wow | 6:46 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Unbelievable!!! If it isn't illegal how can the police raid the store?

Sub-Odeon | 7:10 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Oh please. The Police didn't have enything better to do? Spencers has carried racy items since I was a boy. What else is new?

Shall the police also be raiding the 7-Eleven stores in Utah because of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue??

I love this state, and I love being LDS, but I'd forgotten how much I do *NOT* miss the puritanical sexual aspect of Utah culture.

Anonymous | 7:16 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Seems that a gestapo of sorts is alive and well in Davis county. This is one of too many stories coming from there that indicate the moral police are running rampant. What don't they get about "none of the items are illegal". They are obviously reacting on complaints from "bluenoses" in the community. Why? Obviously there is some sympatico on the part of police officials with these Puritan holdovers. If there would be some reason to believe these items in fact were sold to a minor then that would be different. But, it seems they will investigate that idea after holding a raid. Ridiculous!!!

ScottAZ | 7:28 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Way to go Utah! Glad to see a State that enforces it's decency laws. Just because spencers has 'been around for years' doesen't make it right. Other States need to follow Utahs lead because many of their children are being 'brain washed' into believing that indecency is alright.

Shane | 7:56 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

It's mind control, if you think about it. The state controlling exactly how you think by setting decency standards. One of the first posters nailed it... gestapo is alive and well in the USA.

Hyrum | 7:52 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

What a load.

SKURRY | 7:53 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Freedom of speech anyone? If you don't like it don't shop there! "Someone think of the children!" The stuff is harmless, get a life.

Befuddled Theorist | 8:04 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

And so it starts.....

ScottG13 | 8:02 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Why do citizens across America assume Utah is full of idiots? Because stories like this hit the news wire. Grow up Utah on focus on crime, not triviality.

CeeCee | 8:20 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

I'm one of those liberals that most Utahns hate, but I have to agree with the raid on Spencers. I grew up going to Spenecers and it has always been on the "edge" -- yet, last December when I was at the Fashion Place mall with a friend, we went to Spencers. We joked about all the kitschy items for sale, but we were shocked when we went further back and saw very ADULT items for sale, (think long vibrating things, and stuff to go in the back area and the like). I have no problem with these items being sold in the proper stores (ie: blue boutique, etc) where there is an adults only section. But to see them in a store in a mall where kids and young teenagers can see them, and possibly buy them, I'm against that.

Alex | 8:21 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

I remember going into Spencer's years ago. Sure, they had some risque stuff, but nothing I thought was that bad.
For the first time in years I went into the Fashion Place location in passing fairly recently. Instead of having funny stuff, musical stuff (band posters), etc., it seemed as if the entire store had devolved into sexual products. So I turned around and left. I decided I would never go there again. No business from this guy, and if someone asked me about Spencer's, I'd fill them in on my opinion on the subject. The "battle" can be won as easily as that.

lpack | 8:22 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Once again, proof we live in a police state.

Paul | 8:26 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Yeah, this is lame, but it's not "only in Utah." Some states in the bible belt won't let you buy those kinds of things in any store. At least we have Blue Boutiques we can go to, right?

Our Tax Dollars | 8:36 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Good to see our tax dollars are hard at work. To spend the time and money to get a warrant to search Spencer's Gifts instead of working on cases to arrest real criminals. If you are concerned with what this store may sell to your kids and decency, try teaching it to them in your home and allowing other people who have different viewpoints to shop where they want for what they want.
I am LDS and have to say I am appalled that people can not just work harder to teach their children values at home and then trust them to make correct decisions. I want the police to spend their time and my tax dollars solving cases that actually pose a threat to my safety, not raid a store because they are offended by what is sold.
I can teach my children on my own about morality and decency while allowing my neighbors to make their own choices.

Zeb | 8:32 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

So I guess all other crimes in the state of Utah have been solved and all criminals have been adjudicated?

So there is so much free time down in the squad room that they can now go out and confiscate private property?

Kids see worse stuff on the internet. And if you think they don't then you're as naive as a new born babe.

Davey | 8:33 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

You got to be kidding me? Isnt this America in the year 2008? time to wake up Utah. Stop making us the laughing stock of the nation.

typical Utah | 8:34 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

What do you expect from the hill billy state

anon | 8:40 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Evidence, shmevidence! The cops ran out of toys at the precinct!

Jim | 8:40 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Hang on, the fun might be just starting!

How about a bit of witch burning next? That was always good for some local entertainment too :-)

Is Utah really that backward?

Careful in your marital bedroom everyone.... you might be raided for having se.... oh god forbid I can't even say that awful word.

Oh my.

Anonymous | 8:53 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

That's some nice police work there, Lou.

Crazy | 8:48 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Other States need to follow. Are you kidding me. I have lived all over this nation and Utah is the butt of many jokes. Do you know how many times I have listened to people in other states refer to this state as little Afghanistan, And talk of Mormon Jihad. Lighten up People

Anonymous | 9:00 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Have any of you guys been to Spencer's lately? Yes, they have the novelty stuff, but I, a very open minded person, was surprised to see other very ADULT items for sale in their store. These are the types of items that would be found in the "back room" at Blue Boutique. This isn't about phallic shaped lollipops but battery powered devices and other very adult oriented items. If you want these items go to the appropriate store (like i do) just don't have them in the mall around kids.

disgusted | 9:04 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

to all you who are critical of this action MOVE AWAY FROM THE STATE! If you don't like it get out of here. All you liberals who come here looking for a better community to raise your kids and then you complain at all the laws and culture. Give me a break and do me a favor and LEAVE!

Fred | 9:26 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

This is why the rest of the country makes fun of Utah.

Spencer Gifts!?!

Pathetic.

Info man | 9:27 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

In a story about porn it was reported that 60% of people in relationships found it acceptable for their partners to veiw porn on a regular basis. Times and values are a changing. I was once a very liberal thinker when it came to these types of issues, that was before I had children. It is tough to raise kids in a world that says anything goes. I am for a community effort to enforce decency standards. I chose to live in Utah and not San Francisco and I support enforcing laws that protect children and family values.

Bob Mime | 9:30 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

UTAH: Come visit the 1800s today!!

Hello | 9:37 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Food items that can be used as a sex toy? Better raid the supermarket next. Nice police work there Lou.

The Puritan | 9:37 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

No wonder my brother refers to Utah as the most Sexually frustrated State!

Dr Whoopee | 9:52 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Those lava lamps are just far too suggestive! Think of Chris Buttars' delicate eyes!

Disgusted at disgusted | 10:04 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

What we should do is move your state away from the rest of the US that follows Federal law, you know...the one that SANE individuals adhere to. Get a clue buddy, its a free country.

Spencers in Provo | 10:11 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

I will say that I think the media and the police make utahns look like idiots in this situation, and it does sound like a policed state. However, I will say that I was in the Spencers gifts in Provo mall and found it very uncomfortable. They make no attempt to even gather the adult merch into the back, it is right in the middle of the store and alot of it. Vibrators, sex toys, graphic pictures, sex games, the whole enchilada right in the middle of the store and i'll bet there were 10 kids all around the stuff and 4 oher adults in the store. Even if it is not illegal, Spencers should try to create different sections I beleive. I was personally very shocked and felt it was wrong, and I am not shocked by alot of things.

Ex-Utahn | 10:21 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

I have lived all over the country. Spencers is not prevelantly present in all areas as was stated in a comment above and it's a good thing. When I lived in Utah I felt Spencer's should not have been in a mall where children and families shop. I have not seen a Spencers in many years except when I go to Utah and I'm surprise it hasn't been raided before now. Just because a few liberals think it's okay does not mean it's okay to sell and display adult merchandise to minors and children. We tend to seek validation for our own behaviors when we see things like this going on. When you are an adult you can choose for yourself but until you are an adult you are still a minor or a child and need guidance and rules. Voting in an adulterous government leader doesn't make adultery right. It may validate your own behavior but it still doesn't make the behavior right.

C Murray | 10:18 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

It's incredible. How much money will be spent saving 12 year old boys from buying jumping plastic genitalia?
Perhaps they could also form a 'fake vomit' taskforce as well???

Does your city have no crime, no violence? If the police are focusing on non-illegal but just tasteless then perhaps they could start with every single program on tv, paris, brittany and all your political leaders.

this is when you have to vote out the chief of police and your district prosecutors for being idiots

..... | 10:22 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

I think if you don't want your kids around then don't let them but just cuz you have an issue doesn't mean thats our problem keep your kids under control and your wouldn't have to worry... you guys act like that luv stuff is the only thing they sell. or is that just the only thing you noticed that would get on the news ..grow up..

bio | 10:22 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

What's wrong with kids seeing some silicone representations of human body parts? Sex is only dirty when the parents make it dirty. Teach your kids reality.

Go ahead | 10:26 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

If you don't like Utah, get out. No one's going to miss you.

Grandmother | 10:32 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Why hasn't anyone responded to "our tax dollars"? He/she is right you know.

Spend more time with your children. Teach them correct principles. This can be done with love. Your children may actually embrace these teachings.

Police action is not accompanied with love. Nobody responds well to high handed, unrighteous dominion actions, especially when it is followed with "well, nothing we confiscated was illegal". If the item wasn't illegal you stole it.

No there is a great lesson for our children!

You must decide! Do you or do you not believe in agency. I do!

digusted with disgusted | 10:32 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

disgusted,

For all the bluster, Utah is not any "better" than any other place in this country. I think the high divorce rate in Utah is far more damaging to kids and the divorce is going on among both the church goers and the non-church goers.

I'M NOT GOING TO MOVE AWAY. You need all the level headed sensible people you can get to balance things out.

Anonymous | 10:36 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

I think that teaching your kids values,morality and beliefs is a good thing and then hope they make good decisions. Parents can go WAY overboard though! I was not taught about sex or puberty at home because it was "filthy! Needless to say I was horrified the first time I had my period and wondered how I had sinned! You can teach your children how you believe and what you want but it is not anyones job to rule over anyone elses choices and long as they are not harming anyone!

HEY IDIOTS! | 10:36 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

IT'S NOT THE STATE! IT'S THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE HERE WHO ARE TO BLAME. PEOPLE HERE ARE SELF RIGHTEOUS AND HYPOCRITE'S. WHY CAN'T MORMONS JUST BE HAPPY WITH THEMSELVES AND LIVE WHAT THEY PREACH. UTAH WILL BURN IN HELL SOMEDAY AND THAT'S SAD BECAUSE IT'S A STATE FULL OF MORMONS WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A DIFFERENT AND PECULIAR PEOPLE. TRY STICKING TO THAT UTAH AND BE WHO YOU ARE. IT's OKAY

Sad.... | 10:42 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

That so many of you feel that Spencer gift selling these things is appropriate. Talk about being desensitized to immoral, out right disgusting things. Is that really what you want for future generation? This country needs a morality check!

Void Munashii | 10:39 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

@ disgusted
You're right, no one should ever disagree with the police, and Spencer's Gifts is clearly the root of all corruption in the state of Utah.
I've got a better idea though; instead of everyone who realizes it's the 21st century leaving, why don't all of the people who find places like Spencer's to be so abhorrent follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims, and move away? Find yourself a nice plot of undeveloped land somewhere (not necessarily in the states, mind you) and build your fabulous city on the hill that we can all look up to and see our folly.
Best case scenario: You will start a revolution in the behaviour of the world.
Worst case scenario: At least you won't have to put up with the rest of us, and we won't have to put up with you.

BTW: people complain. It's what they do. Even you; look at how you complain about other people complaining. It's just a fact of life.

awesomeron | 10:40 a.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Disgusted is right! I live in the only other State without a Lottery, Hawaii. The difference is if you guys want a ticket bad enough you can cross the border of the nearest state to you and buy one. Or buy Multi Draws. The point was also very well made that people come to Utah as a better place to raise their kids, (to cold for me), then want to change things to make it more like where they came from. The Tel-e-a-ban is coming to you real soon. Also Sherraill Law. You cannot force your culture on other people but if you have the Majority you can pass the Laws and make the Rules. Thats called States Rights. Thats why the Journey was made. Remember repression is in the eye of the beholder, parents control things till age 18, then hope and pray for the best, or what they think is the best. I live in Hawaii and a lot of LDS Folks just could not handle Sunday Morning and our Rainbow of Culture that gathers.I've seen that. However the standrds are the same. I do not believe in Adult Sections. Why? Is another post.

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