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Jun 24, 2009 11:07 pm US/Central
Undercover Cops Crack Down On Public Cruising
BURNSVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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Burnsville Police say men are allegedly having sex with other men in public and engaging in other lewd conduct near Black Dog Road.
CBS
Some parks in a Twin Cities suburb have become a playground for pornographic activity. Men are allegedly having sex with other men in public and engaging in other lewd conduct.
According to Burnsville Police, it's been happening frequently in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Area right off the Minnesota River.
But an undercover sting operation is expected to make parks safer for families.
A Burnsville officer who didn't want to be identified was present at an undercover sting situation on Tuesday. WCCO-TV cameras were there.
First he asked the suspect, "What do you like to do?" The man replied, "Pretty normal ... a little playing."
Police believe he was trying to find another man to engage in sexual activity in the area.
The impetus for the sting was a letter sent to police by a local father, describing being with his sons, seeing men engaging in a sexual act and then having to explain it to his boys.
"It's unacceptable. It's unacceptable behavior," said the officer. "Personally, I have children myself, but I can't imagine coming back and seeing this going on."
And so the officer is working to stop lewd conduct. He was approached by a man near Black Dog Road during the sting. He only gave the man who came up to him a warning, not a ticket.
"Is there a reason you're rubbing yourself and have a partial erection while you're rubbing yourself? Is it routine for guys to walk into the woods and follow you into the woods and talk, and expect something?" asked the officer, before he gave a stern warning. "This is the last time I'm going to see you down here."
That officer's partner gave another man a warning on Tuesday, as well.
"What are you just wandering around kind of in circles in that area? I saw you and that other gentleman in there talking, who was also talking to me about engaging in sexual behavior," warned the officer. "I know why you're here. Don't be coming down here to do that crap, OK?"
Every time police bust men, the word quickly gets out online and on the streets. One Web site actually tells men where they should meet in public.
When asked whether he thinks the stings have any effect on public cruising, he said "I would say that it helps."
Police suggest stings make the parks safer, and men seeking sex don't generally come back, which means families can continue enjoying Burnsville's parks.
Burnsville police will continue monitoring the parks along Black Dog Road for the next few weeks.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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