If that were the case, then the person who made the videos contributed to more attention being paid to the matter by police and city officials...so in a way, we should be thankful....?
That video has been on You Tube for a very long time. If this guy was one of the perverts, it just makes sense that he would not have revealed this information.
It seems to be okay to have a peep hole but not a bullet hole?? maybe that is what it is now with a different use......maybe the park security $$ went to Mr. Kosiur......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
SCHENECTADY ‘Cruisers’ a concern in city parks Experts tell why men risk lewd behavior BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
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.”
“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.”
Victimizing the criminal? Please remind me to hire Philip Rainer, the psychotherapist with Karner Psychological Associates in Clifton Park to speak on my behalf, before a judge if I CHOOSE to commit a lewd act in public. From Mr. Rainer's educated view, I would just be a victim of my own desires.
Central Park Vigilante speaks up The person responsible for the famous "Pervert Park" video finally speaks up in a Daily Gazette Forum. He calls himself Citizen 7.
citizen7 Hello, I am the one who posted the Videos. This has been going on for many years and I sent a long email to your staff earlier about this.
I was in contact with the police all the way back in March. A detective took my information via Youtube Email and I had cooperated with him. I had exchanged several Emails and I wrote in details the situation and that they needed an undercover sting, This was way back in March.
I personally complained at the park office and with the police about this particular ongoing problem years ago.
We also need non-police citizens to get involved and to have the right to do so and to be able to offer their assistance to the police in such matters without jeopardy.
The Police need to take the residents willing to offer help seriously and not just keep it within their station doors.
You need to have the security personnel that is already working at Central Park to work full time and have the full backing of the city police. This is currently Not The Case!
They have a guy there who is there only part time. I have spoken with him and he is on his own trying to handle the situation in Central Park without proper backup. So this situation with the security man in Central Park needs to be immediately taken into consideration by others than the ones calling the shots currently.
brijen97 ( no real name given ) says... hey I applaud citizen 7 for hisher candor and his/her efforts to help maintain a clean , crime free park. We as citizens must all do our part. I don't think it should have taken this long to procur such an investigation/sting operation. I mean citizen 7 contacted police in march. We are not talking about the Gambino family here but instead of some sick individuals. Certainly we can expect faster response. And your wrong taxpaper, uniformed cops can and do stop this type of behavior by PATROLING. How about they all eat lunch there :>}
gearbox ( no real name given ) says... not to make light of the disgusting circumstances, but I really do have to credit "citizen 7" for some serious skills. not only was he (I say he because he talks in the video and he is clearly male) able to capture these men on video without being detected, he edited it into a captivating piece of weird postmodern video journalism that serves dually as a short film. all i could think the entire time was: is this real? did he stage this just for the purposes of making this film? clearly not but seriously your video is something else. bravo, you are a brave, unique individual.
citizen7 ( no real name given ) says... John Rizzo, He accuses me of being one of the Perverts.
He writes "to the person who made the annonymous "YouTube pervert" video mentioned in the Gazette article. I believe you are involved, and if so, you are a cretin and a coward."
How Dare You accuse someone who exposes the Perverts and The situation going in Central Park to the public as actually being one of the Perverts themselves.
Mr Rizzo, How do You put 2 and 2 together and come up with minus 3?
This activity in Pervert Park has been going on for Years! Did The Gazette, The News or the police do anything about thison their own?
NO! So, because I am not in your group then I must be one of the enemy.
The Residents of Schenectady have options when The Likes of You who are in position Fail Us.
I did something to help and it took a long time, but finally with enough of the other residents complaining and with enough Pressure, The Story Broke.
I am calling ALL residents of Schenectady who wish to do something positive to make a difference in their community safety to Take Actions and to help make things happen.
We can't just pretend that those who are getting paid and in position are going to do anything anymore on their own merit.
As far as "Pervert Park" is concerned There are Many residents that have known about this for many years. The Park personnel have all been aware of this for many years, I have spoken with them and so have others trhough the years. It took the actions of a concerned resident to help make changes. So You label Me a "cretin" and a "coward"? Hardly Mr Rizzo. Tell somthing me Sherlock, how many other times have you been completely off the mark and come up with the wrong conclusions in your articles?
wmarincic ( no real name given ) says... I commend Citizen7 for taking a stand as sometimes thats what needs to be done to get things done, again, the Police can only do so much with what they have and until this Mayor and our DO Nothing City Council enact a safety fee or find another way of funding the Police Dept. we as citizens will have to step to the plate. Unfortunatly my late night at work is Monday or you would see me at EVERY city council meeting asking these same questions. I also agree Mr. Rizzo stepped over the line by condemming someone who went out of their way to expose a real problem in our community. Maybe if Mr. Rizzo did something other than critisize the good works of others he would also see a need to get ivolved in a POSITIVE way.
I sense a lawsuit coming and I think this here citizen number nine or whatever is indeed a pervert and should be arrested as well. he is spreading pornography and attaCKING PEOPLE who may or maynot be part of something gross. I think he should have to witness in person before a judge or be cited in contempt.
I sense a lawsuit coming and I think this here citizen number nine or whatever is indeed a pervert and should be arrested as well. he is spreading pornography and attaCKING PEOPLE who may or maynot be part of something gross. I think he should have to witness in person before a judge or be cited in contempt.
You are protesting that someone stopped the PeepHole spying on children using the mensroom and Men prowling for Sex with men in Central Park? You must be one of those perverts from that Park and What You just wrote is Very Weird Its was on The News The Guy who Helped Clean up the Park is a Hero!
First Bab's...we here in 'message board land' have learned NOT to respond to good ole' sal!! REALLY! He is just a political figure, I believe, just trying to stir the pot. So just ignore the nut case.
On the other hand....I have seen these videos on youtube a while ago and was shocked back then that these issues were never addressed. ESPECIALLY THAT PEEP HOLE!!!! Funny how the city and county leaders want the sex offenders out of the city, but yet give them the tools to support their perverted acts.
Great work from the person who took the videos! And should be applauded for bringing it to the forefront!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I don't know about "hero" status, but he did a great service to the community - and helped bring to the forefront something that has plagued public parks in this area for years.
No I READ the paper and the letters came in and siad he was a criminla and involved in the gay sex stuff over there. I go by what the paper says not what people here say.
No I READ the paper and the letters came in and siad he was a criminla and involved in the gay sex stuff over there. I go by what the paper says not what people here say.
LOL THATS why you're misinformed. Reading what they WANT you to know, not necessary equating that with the truth.
No I READ the paper and the letters came in and siad he was a criminla and involved in the gay sex stuff over there. I go by what the paper says not what people here say.
Hardly the truth 'over there' sal. You can fool some of the people some of the time but ya can't fool all of the people all of the time.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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