PORNOGRAPHY INDUSTRY AIDS SCARE A WAKE-UP CALL.

Byline: Don and Prudy Schultz Local View

THE shutting down of the adult film industry in the San Fernando Valley over an HIV scare should serve as an eye-opener to the general public. But it probably will not.

Communities throughout the city of Los Angeles are negatively affected every day because of these types of productions, while the San Fernando Valley has the dubious honor of being tabbed the porn capital of the nation.

Adult filmmaking, which goes on behind closed doors for the most part, has long been an accident waiting to happen simply because of the sexual nature of the business.

While it is noteworthy and even commendable that the Valley's adult movie business partially shut itself down because two performers tested positive for the AIDS virus, it should be obvious that the health agency created by the industry several years ago needs to be much more diligent.

Published quotes from Jack Kyser, the chief economist of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., have been not only irresponsible, but also insulting to those of us who are exposed to these so-called adult entertainment businesses in our communities. He describes these businesses as a part of the underground economy that is growing, even though people may turn their noses up at them.

But Kyser neglects to describe the many ways that these businesses impact the quality of life for other nearby businesses and residential neighborhoods.

We've just discovered that an adult entertainment business in our community has filed an application to convert its existing operation into a ``sexual encounter establishment.''

Our City Council member's office, neighbors and the Los Angeles Police Department have all been alerted, and we fully expect a future public hearing that will be well-attended by vocal individuals on both sides of this issue.

Frankly, we don't care how many millions or billions of dollars these types of businesses bring to Los Angeles. It's time for the public to speak up and tell legislators - especially the elected and appointed judges who allow the adult entertainment industry to hide under the veil of the First Amendment - that this AIDS virus warning is a wake-up call. The adult film industry needs serious reforming, even if it takes federal legislation.