That year, the so-called padlock law, which allowed the police to close a club if two criminal convictions and a third criminal arrest occurred in 12 months, left a gaping loophole.

And the city's padlock law, which permits the police to close a building for up to a year if it is used for illegal purposes, is difficult to invoke, the police say.

The padlock law allows the authorities to use civil court orders to close sites where there are histories of arrests.

Inspector Biehler spoke as the Mayor suggested that the key to enforcement of the padlock law was tougher treatment of violators by judges.

Even under the new padlock law, passed in June, the case would have to go through a hearing that would last months, and it would not consider the drug sales.

March 1957: The padlock law is declared unconstitutional.

Mr. Vallone said that the third bill of the package was intended to amend its padlock law.

Before the padlock law, illegal business owners opened stores with plans to operate for up to three years - about the time it took the city to force them to close.

Police lawyers have invoked the city's padlock law and closed down crooked storefronts.

Under the "padlock" law, the police can lock up an apartment being used for any illegal purpose as evidenced by two convictions of the tenant within a year and a third arrest.