NCJ Number
65899
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1980) Pages: 52-55
Date Published
1980
Length
4 pages
Annotation
IN DEALING WITH HOMOSEXUALS, POLICE MUST PREVENT THEM FROM CREATING PUBLIC SCANDALS AND KEEP A WATCH ON DANGEROUS HOMOSEXUALS.
Abstract
LOUD, OVERT CAMPAIGNS BY POLICE AGAINST HOMOSEXUALS DRIVES THE LATTER UNDERGROUND AND MAY INDUCE SOME OF THEM TO COMMIT MURDER TO KEEP THEIR HOMOSEXUALITY A SECRET. STRONG ANTI-HOMOSEXUAL CAMPAIGNS BY POLICE ALSO HINDER POLICE INTELLIGENCE-GATHERING IN THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY. INSTEAD, POLICE SHOULD KEEP A COVERT, CONTINUOUS WATCH ON THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY TO DISCOVER THE DANGEROUS MEMBERS. FURTHER, POLICE SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON KEEPING THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY FROM OFFENDING PUBLIC MORALITY RATHER THAN FUTILELY TRYING TO STAMP OUT HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITY. IN SMALL COMMUNITIES, HOMOSEXUALITY IS COVERT AND HOMOSEXUALS MAY LEAVE TOWN TO PRESERVE THEIR REPUTATIONS. HOMOSEXUALS SEARCH, OR CRUISE, FOR SEXUAL PARTNERS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND POLICE SHOULD PATROL SUCH AREAS TO PREVENT POSSIBLE VIOLENCE. HOMOSEXUAL OR GAY BARS IN LARGER CITIES DISCOURAGE A GENERAL CLIENTELE BY REFUSING TO ADVERTISE AND HAVING EXPENSIVE COVER CHARGES. OTHER PLACES USED FOR HOMOSEXUAL RENDEZVOUS ARE PUBLIC BATHROOMS, MEN'S ATHLETIC CLUBS, AND ADULT BOOKSTORES. FOR POLICE, THE CHALLENGE IS TO PREVENT HOMOSEXUALITY FROM BECOMING A PUBLIC SCANDAL, WHILE WATCHING INDIVIDUAL HOMOSEXUALS WHOSE SEXUAL ACTIVITY SINGLES THEM OUT FOR PROSECUTION. (PAP)