Posted on 02/14/2003 6:21:55 AM PST by NativeSon
Wild, anonymous, male sex romps took place frequently in the sixth-floor men's room at the Center City Strawbridge's store, police said.
Police arrested five men yesterday, and another half dozen last month, in the bathroom, which is listed as a primo sex spot on a graphic Web site catering to gay men.
The men's room also was featured in Philadelphia magazine last month as "one of the classiest spots in town to find love with a perfect stranger."
All face charges of prostitution or lewd behavior, said Lt. Charles Green. None was a Strawbridge's employees.
Strawbridge officials were not available to comment last night.
Green said Strawbridge's, on Market near 9th, reported the problem to police in early January after a father and son walked into the bathroom around Christmas and saw two men having sex.
According to posts on the gay Web site, the bathroom has been popular for months. As many as 11 men could be crowded into the room, they said.
"I've been here when the stalls were half full and three guys were standing outside the occupied stalls with their pants down (or off completely!)," one writer said.
Another said: "I've been there when four or five guys are all going at it at the same time."
The bathroom is located in the restaurant, at the far end of the long pink dining room, with white linen tablecloths, crystal chandeliers and oil paintings.
The restroom appeared pretty slow last night.
The Web site also suggests other public bathrooms for the sexually voracious, including one in the Mellon Building on Market near 8th; the bathroom near the food court at the Gallery, on Market between 7th and 11th; and the basement restroom in the Mellon Bank Building at Market Street near 18th.
Green said they were investigating other locations, but would not reveal where they were.
Who writes this stuff? Who proofs it?
A perfect opportunity to chase off our fellow conservatives.
Who needs 'em?
Sheesh! one "quicky" and you're tagged for life!! j/k
I would like to state for the record that as an American Indian I cannot: hold my booze, step on a twig or be a "pole smoker".
Who needs 'em?
If libertarians are conservatives I must be something else.
I think that was Glen Campbell.(or maybe not, as a certified parrothead I don't believe it was Buffet)
The law is the law. This is not a case of entrapment this is people committing illegal and nasty acts in public. Should crimes be ignored while the war on terror goes on? (Then I'll be over to rob your house later.)
And Strawbridges (Center City) was a nice place at one time- I have not been there is quite a while- there was a monorail (no puns please) that kids could ride in the store among other things.
Your example is the exactly the problem. I COULD be at your house in Philly to rob it this afternoon, after e-mailing you my intention to do it, and providing information on exactly where I intended to fence your stuff and the Philly cops STILL wouldn't solve your burglary.
With such poor performance on ordinary crime, it is perfectly reasonable to question the priorities here.
Sex in a restroom, thats classy alright. And I wouldn't call anyone in a situation like that a "perfect" anything.
Yes, the light show, we knew an electrician who (volunteered) kept it running. As a kid we lived pretty close to the Zoo, we went often. Do you have an 'Elephant Key' ?
A crime is a crime and should be treated thusly. I'm not saying that they don't have better things to do but if this particular thing is becoming a problem it should be solved.
Look at this way, Philadelphia is starting all sorts of campaigns to bring business and people into Philadelphia- even marketing the city's name to gain revenue. Now, that in mind, a group of people that engage in illegal and immoral activity in PUBLIC in the very places that are trying to improve are making this behavior known- in Philly Mag., and web sites etc. . You are a resident, a business owner, a politician, etc., what do you do?
note, I'll bet they're not spending money while in those bathrooms
The men's room also was featured in Philadelphia magazine last month as "one of the classiest spots in town to find love with a perfect stranger."I'm very much a believer in "live and let live", but when a freaking restroom is described as a "classy" place to do.....well what's going on, that says a lot.
-Eric
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.