From kevyn@KSUVM.KSU.EDUFri Jul 7 16:34:18 1995 Date: Thu, 6 Jul 1995 15:35:53 -0500 (CDT) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Subject: (TOPEKA, GAGE PARK) NT: 12 Arrested for solicitation FROM THE NEWS-TELEGRAPH MAY 26-JUNE 8, 1995 =================== TWELVE TICKETED FOR SOLICITATION by Lisa Marie Neff TOPEKA KS-Since April 27, Topeka police have ticketed twelve men for allegedly soliciting homosexual acts in Gage Park. The arrests came through a police sting operation aimed at discouraging solicitation in the park, said Commander Ed White of the police investigations division. White said sting operations will continue in the park this summer because "for years it's been a problem.'' Last Winter, police conducted a similar sting operation and plainclothes officers cited 27 men. Those men received orders from Topeka Municipal Court not to return to Gage Park. After police announced the arrests, Topeka's Capital-Journal printed the names of the men cited in the park. A similar article printed several years ago in New Hampshire's Union Leader resulted in two suicides and the dismissal of ten men from their workplace. The citations carry a maximum $500 fine. The charge is considered a misdemeanor enforceable under the city's code of ordinances, not state law. White said the sting operations at Gage Park were triggered by citizens' complaints and law enforcement officers observing "criminal activity." ============================================== Permission granted by the News-Telegraph for distribution to the KQN email list (KQN@casti.com), and archiving in the Queer Resources Directory (QRD) on the Internet (http://www.qrd.org/QRD). For News-Telegraph subscription information (published twice a month), please call 1.816.561.6266, or email: newstele@aol.com ==============================================