Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/529bv.pdf
Page Number: 372

529US1

Unit: $U42

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Cite as: 529 U. S. 277 (2000)

297

Opinion of O’Connor, J.

ment at issue in Renton, Young v. American Mini Theatres,
Inc., 427 U. S. 50 (1976), and California v. LaRue, 409 U. S.
109 (1972), it was reasonable for Erie to conclude that such
nude dancing was likely to produce the same secondary ef-
fects. And Erie could reasonably rely on the evidentiary
foundation set forth in Renton and American Mini Theatres
to the effect that secondary effects are caused by the pres-
ence of even one adult entertainment establishment in a
given neighborhood. See Renton v. Playtime Theatres,
Inc., supra, at 51–52 (indicating that reliance on a judicial
opinion that describes the evidentiary basis is sufﬁcient).
In
fact, Erie expressly relied on Barnes and its discussion of
including its reference to Renton and
secondary effects,
American Mini Theatres. Even in cases addressing regu-
lations that strike closer to the core of First Amendment
values, we have accepted a state or local government’s rea-
sonable belief that the experience of other jurisdictions
is relevant to the problem it is addressing. See Nixon v.
Shrink Missouri Government PAC, 528 U. S. 377, 393, n. 6
(2000). Regardless of whether Justice Souter now wishes
to disavow his opinion in Barnes on this point, see post, at
316–317 (opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part),
the evidentiary standard described in Renton controls here,
and Erie meets that standard.

In any event, Erie also relied on its own ﬁndings. The
preamble to the ordinance states that “the Council of the
City of Erie has, at various times over more than a century,
expressed its ﬁndings that certain lewd, immoral activities
carried on in public places for proﬁt are highly detrimental
to the public health, safety and welfare, and lead to the de-
basement of both women and men, promote violence, public
intoxication, prostitution and other serious criminal activ-
ity.” Pet. for Cert. 6a (emphasis added). The city council
members, familiar with commercial downtown Erie, are the
individuals who would likely have had ﬁrsthand knowledge
of what took place at and around nude dancing establish-