Police step up patrols in Victoria Park after complaints of public sex

Resident is concerned children will see what's going on

Image | Victoria Park

Caption: Fees will not apply to not-for-profit events. (Brian Higgins/CBC)

Charlottetown Police have stepped up patrols in Victoria Park following a complaint about people having sex in the public space.
Police say patrols on foot, bicycle and in cruisers are now taking place as often as every hour.

'In the middle of the day, in the middle of the park'

"It's not like I'm a prude or anything but to be perfectly honest I am becoming very upset with the frequency with which I am seeing people in the park having sex with other people," said Sherri McBride, who walks her dog every day in Victoria Park.

Image | Sherri McBride

Caption: Sherri McBride walks her dog in the park daily. (Brian Higgins/CBC)

Police said their stepped-up effort is due largely to McBride's complaints.
McBride said she's come across situations in wooded areas and in parked cars.
She said it seems to be more visible in recent months and she is worried that children will see what's going on.

"Not just in the park, but in the middle of the day, in the middle of the park, and right beside children and residents like me, walking by, " she said.

No charges laid

No charges have yet been laid, but police said they launched an investigation in March which is still ongoing, and have issued a trespass notice to one person to stay out of the park.

Image | Charlottetown police cruiser in Victoria Park, Sept. 12, 2016

Caption: Police have issued a trespass notice to one person. (Brian Higgins/CBC)

City officials are also aware of the concerns, and say they've removed brush and thinned some wooded areas to discourage the activity.