The “sex slide” has a new rating: G. As in family friendly.
Lt. Luiz Casanova (at center in photo) reported Tuesday that a combination of police and neighborhood vigilance has put the kabosh for now on illict sex — among teens, and of the more professional variety — at a kid’s slide in little Lewis Park at Front and Lewis Streets in Fair Haven.
Casanova, the area’s district manager, attended a meeting at the park Tuesday with approximately ten neighbors who had been observing prostitutes as well as neighborhood teens using the new blue slide as a rendezvous for sex acts. Click here for that previous story.
“The problem’s gone away,” Casanova said afterwards.
He attributed this to increased patrolling by his officers and an invigorated engagement by the community.
Casanova also reported that officers had identified one of the teenage girls involved. “We talked to her mother,” he said, and “she’s taken ownership.”
Casanova said that if the girl returns to the park, she knows now to act in a way that’s appropriate.
Casanova said that at the request of neighbors he is going to speak with the police department’s community services officer, Joe Avery, about reigniting the area’s block watch. Neighbors also volunteered to fix broken lights near the park and to provide new lights.
Neighbors were still mixed about whether to get rid of the covered slide altogether in favor of one less tempting to trysters. “Between all of us,” Casanova said, “we can fix this problem without stripping the park.”