Police sting targets sex crimes along river

Twelve men were cited for indecent exposure resulting from two police sting operations on Thursday at Crosby Farm Park and Meeker Island in St. Paul, according to police reports.

Sgt. Paul Schnell, police spokesman, said this isn't the first crackdown arising from complaints of sexual activity in the parks bordering the Mississippi River. Several stings have taken place in recent years.

The current crackdown resulted from complaints to police from people who said they saw others engaging in sexual activity while walking through the parks.

They also said they frequently saw condom wrappers littered about the park, Schnell said.

The police stings happened during lunchtime Thursday. Working undercover, police officers went into parks, had conversations with suspects, "and those conversations ultimately led to criminal behavior, indecent exposure and arrests were made," Schnell said.

The high number of arrests demonstrates the significance of the potential problem, he said. The parks are popular lunchtime destinations for walkers and workers on break.

Schnell also said the police operation was not intended to target any particular group.

"Obviously we hope that the message is clear to people that we will continue to conduct these operations as long as public areas are being affected by what is otherwise private behavior," Schnell said.

What consenting adults do in the privacy of their own home is of no concern to police, he added. "But when it's done in a public place where it raises quality of life and health and welfare issues, it is a violation of the law."

Seven of the men cited were at Meeker and the rest at Crosby. All were cited and released.

GREGORY A. PATTERSON