Because of complaints from visitors to Little Hamaca Park about unfortunate surprise encounters with persons engaging in public sex, Key West police are warning residents and visitors that they have recently stepped up patrols at the park.
The public has been put on notice that police will arrest persons engaging in sex in Little Hamaca Park, or any other public place. Capt. Bill Fortune, head of the department's Patrol Division, said police prefer simply to discourage and ultimately to end the problem through public warnings and high visibility rather than arresting people already committing the offense. But aggressive enforcement will be applied when necessary, he said. Police patrol cars, bicycle patrols, and undercover detectives are keeping a close eye on the park at all hours, Fortune added. Possible charges include lewd and lascivious activity, and exposure of sexual organ, both misdemeanors. If, however, the activity is witnessed by a child 16 years old or younger, the charge jumps to a second-degree felony, punishable by as much as five years in prison.
Ardent couples, gay and straight, are warned that they will be arrested if police find them engaging in sex at Little Hamaca Park or any other public place.
When Palm Avenue is widened next year, the County will construct six-foot-wide bike/pedestrian lanes on each side of the roadway. In the meantime, the existing roadway will be striped to designate bike lanes, according to Joan Langley, co-chairman of the Pedestrian Action Committee.