LOS ANGELES -- Sex in L.A.'s public parks is on the rise and police vice officers say the number of men arrested for performing lewd acts is also going up.
More than 90 males were arrested in 2009 -- up from 75 in 2008 -- on suspicion of lewd conduct in Elysian Park, Griffith Park and Sycamore Grove Park. Officers say the acts are taking place in the hills above the Los Angeles Police Academy, also next to Dodger Stadium.
Some trails are covered with used condoms, wrappers and other garbage -- the signs that sex is everywhere.
Many of the men arrested are married and claim to be straight. They come from all walks of life, but police say thse men are headed along only one path of destruction.
Police say they want the trend to stop.
"We took two stations out on an undercover operation," LAPD Vice Sgt. Lisa Phillips, who heads the LAPD"s Northeast Area Vice Unit, said at a news conference Friday. "The whole purpose, intention and goal of this operation is to get the word out to the community at large that this is a serious problem."
Police showed video of arrests made by undercover officers. The video also showed park areas littered with used condoms.
Other park users are complaining about the public sexual encounters, police said.
"Numerous complaints from people utilizing the parks for jogging, picnics, bicycling and similar activities are also a contributing factor," Phillips said.
Thrillseekers learn about the sex "hot spots" online, for the most part, But, what they don't hear about is the fact that they are setting themselves up as easy targets for local gang members who may assault or rob them.
Discarded condoms are not just litter, but a public health hazard. Police say many of the man don't even use condoms, choosing instead to engage in unsafe sex.
Sgt. Phillips is openly gay. She stresses her team is no simply targeting gay people. Officers are enforcing laws against public indecency, regardless of a person's sexual orientation.
Philips says many of those arrested are repeat offenders.
There is hope, however, for first timers. If they successfully complete treatment programs through the city of Los Angeles, which involves counseling and community service, then they will walk away with a clean record.
More than 90 males were arrested in 2009 -- up from 75 in 2008 -- on suspicion of lewd conduct in Elysian Park, Griffith Park and Sycamore Grove Park. Officers say the acts are taking place in the hills above the Los Angeles Police Academy, also next to Dodger Stadium.
Some trails are covered with used condoms, wrappers and other garbage -- the signs that sex is everywhere.
Many of the men arrested are married and claim to be straight. They come from all walks of life, but police say thse men are headed along only one path of destruction.
Police say they want the trend to stop.
"We took two stations out on an undercover operation," LAPD Vice Sgt. Lisa Phillips, who heads the LAPD"s Northeast Area Vice Unit, said at a news conference Friday. "The whole purpose, intention and goal of this operation is to get the word out to the community at large that this is a serious problem."
Police showed video of arrests made by undercover officers. The video also showed park areas littered with used condoms.
Other park users are complaining about the public sexual encounters, police said.
"Numerous complaints from people utilizing the parks for jogging, picnics, bicycling and similar activities are also a contributing factor," Phillips said.
Thrillseekers learn about the sex "hot spots" online, for the most part, But, what they don't hear about is the fact that they are setting themselves up as easy targets for local gang members who may assault or rob them.
Discarded condoms are not just litter, but a public health hazard. Police say many of the man don't even use condoms, choosing instead to engage in unsafe sex.
Sgt. Phillips is openly gay. She stresses her team is no simply targeting gay people. Officers are enforcing laws against public indecency, regardless of a person's sexual orientation.
Philips says many of those arrested are repeat offenders.
There is hope, however, for first timers. If they successfully complete treatment programs through the city of Los Angeles, which involves counseling and community service, then they will walk away with a clean record.
