‘Cruisers’ a concern in city parks

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SCHENECTADY — The parking lot off Fehr Avenue can be difficult to drive. It’s so full of potholes it would make cruising in, under one of the term’s normal definitions, a difficult proposition.

But earlier this month, and probably for a lot longer, authorities and a video vigilante say, an area off that Central Park parking lot has been used by men cruising, under the other, more seedy definition of the term.

A sting on Aug. 12 that resulted in three men being arrested, two accused of public masturbation, another of soliciting an undercover officer.

The alleged behavior, often called cruising for sex, would appear to make the men part of a loosely connected group that meets in parks or public restrooms to commit lewd acts.

It’s a behavior that carries high risks, often higher than those participating realize. If they’re caught by police, they face arrest and the prospect of their name being made public. That’s not to mention the other risks of being discovered, such as shakedowns and attacks.

So why, then would anyone expose themselves and risk being seen by the public? Especially when the acts, which some may frown upon, would be legal in the privacy of one’s own home?

“The answer to that is that frequently someone would care at home,” psychologist Dr. Herbert Gingold, of the state Psychological Association said last week. He noted he was not familiar with the Schenectady case. “Many of the men are married and have relationships with women, but they’re very conflicted about their sexual feelings toward them. By having these anonymous contacts, they resolved that conflict with their straight identity.”

For others, experts said, the impulsiveness and risk is part of the experience.

Schenectady authorities are working to ensure that the private conflict doesn’t extend further into the public realm, and to prevent residents and parkgoers from having to witness it.

Internet videos

Exactly how long the area off Fehr Avenue has been used by cruising men is unclear. Police say they only heard of complaints and videos from a sort of YouTube vigilante weeks ago. The vigilante, who declined to be identified by name, contends he was in contact with police as early as the spring.

The man, who calls himself “Citizen 7” in correspondence, says he is someone who loves the park and doesn’t want to see adults or children exposed to the lewd acts.

Authorities attributed their Central Park sting in part to the online videos. In the videos, men are shown simply standing or walking in the area; subtitles accuse them, often in a mocking way, of being there for lewd acts. One of the men arrested in the sting, police said, resembles one in the videos.

Cases against the men remain pending.

Police have vowed extra attention to the area.

“It won’t be limited to uniform patrols,” Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett said last week. “We’ll use undercover people there as well.”

Bennett reiterated that when police received complaints, and some independent confirmation, they acted.

He added that he hopes the public nature of the arrests helps clear the park of such activity.

The question, he said, is for how long?

“If these people want to take their private lifestyle indoors, that’s their business,” Bennett said. “But when they start conducting themselves in that manner in public, then it becomes our business.”

Name in the paper

Publicity appears to have some effect.

On the Internet, there are Web sites that cater to men looking to perform sexual acts in public places. One site includes an area for tips on locations, categorized by country and state, including a long list for New York. Some of the New York tips date back to 2001.

Many, if not most, of the tips are related to stings, busts or simple extra attention.

Two tips from late 2006 are related to a bust at Colonie Center. Both referenced the October 2006 bust of seven men in a Macy’s men’s room. That investigation began from a complaint from the store.

“Names and photos shown on TV and in the papers. Beware,” one note reads, posted days after the arrests.

One of the earlier notes is about Albany’s Washington Park, noting the presence of a full-time security officer. “They shine lights and advise people that the park is closed when they see you walking after hours,” the 2001 note reads.

A spokeswoman for Colonie Center said their security force is always diligent in watching for suspected lewd behavior. A spokesperson for Macy’s could not be reached.

No note has been posted about Central Park, either since the arrests or before.

The area of Central Park shown in the video by the vigilante is off the pot-holed parking lot. A walk up a trail identified in the videos last week found broken glass, some coffee cups and even a baseball apparently from one of the nearby fields.

On this night, a game was going on. A woman with a dog walked by. Two men were on the trail. One of the men said he often runs in the park and sees strange people from time to time, although he noted strange people can be seen almost anywhere.

“It’s good at least that we haven’t heard about any violence here,” said the man, who declined to give his name. “It’s not like Central Park in New York City.”

Impulsive act

Many of the men who take part in the lewd activity, experts said, are impulsive. Some may have to drink before they act.

“People can also have a tendency to violate rules and break norms,” said Philip Rainer, a psychotherapist with Karner Psychological Associates in Clifton Park.

Warnings and increased presence by authorities and people can help dissuade the men from choosing an area, he said.

“If the risk is too high, some of the people who do have better impulse control won’t go,” Rainer said.

Gingold, from the state association, noted that those involved realize what they’re doing is wrong and, on some level, want to be punished for it. He recommends a compassionate approach that includes treatment for the need to become a public nuisance.

He also noted that the men risk not only arrest, but they also risk blackmail or even assaults if they’re discovered.

“It’s really very sad, actually,” Gingold said. “These people are victimized in every way, but people can’t be allowed to commit lewd acts in a public park. But they are also victims of a society that condemns these desires.”

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comments

August 25, 2008 11:19 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]

citizen7 ( no real name given ) says... Schenectady's Central Park is a place for Safe and fun activities primarily First for families and for Kids and then anyone else to use for health and fitness and recreation purposes. The Park should not be a party haven, a place for criminals to gather, a place for any sort of sexual activities, nor a place for aggressive individuals who would disturb the peace. http://www.youtube.com/user/pervertpark It is necessary that Central Park be Very Safe and Very peaceful if you want Good people to come and visit and to flourish there. If you do not care that there are those who wish to use the park for illicit activities and for non peaceful ventures, then just turn your back on whats happening and it will not be the beautiful resource that it has been in the past. The priority action is to have better Park Security and Police presence. If You caring residents, of Schenectady will get involved and help, We could all collectively make huge positive changes in The Schenectady Area. Support the Police and push for better relations with the police and the residents of Schenectady.