Font ResizeDespite that, the activity appears to be continuing unabated, the commissioners said. Now they're trying to get the word out, in the hopes that will discourage the men.
Tammy Klunk, the county's acting parks director, and chief ranger Gerald Ford joined the commissioners for Wednesday's announcement. They said the sex is consensual and no money appears to be exchanged.
Their main concern is that the sex is taking place in the park itself, where people - including children - might be exposed to it.
"This activity is unacceptable," said Commissioner Chris Reilly, who serves as the commissioners' liaison to the Parks Advisory Board. "I wouldn't want my kids stumbling on this."
Ford said there have been a handful of arrests for heterosexual trysts in the parks over the years, but nothing of this magnitude.
Commissioners said that since the undercover patrols started, 81 men have been issued non-traffic summary offense citations for disorderly conduct. Of those, 58 have pleaded guilty. The other cases are pending before a district judge.
Those found guilty can face fines of up to $600, Klunk said.
President Commissioner Steve Chronister said later
"You'd think word would get around," he said. "Why would you continue doing this?"
Reilly had similar thoughts at the meeting, saying he and his fellow commissioners don't want to give the parks a "black eye" by going public with this. He pointed out that in past years, Gifford Pinchot State Park and the restroom at the West Manchester Mall were popular trysting spots until similar crackdowns took place.
Commissioner Doug Hoke said York County's park system has a distinguished reputation around the state.
"Other counties look at our system as one of the best," he said. "It's just disturbing to know that this type of activity is taking place, and we're going to do whatever we can to make sure it stops."
Chronister added that the undercover investigations will continue, with rangers receiving help from local police departments. York Area Regional Police covers William H. Kain, and Rocky Ridge falls into Springettsbury Township Police's jurisdiction, he said.
"We didn't release names or photographs (of the defendants), but maybe that's going to happen in the future," Chronister said.
According to Klunk, most of the men arrested have been from York County and the average age has been 56. She said the offenders appear to be part of a loose network that's been using the Internet to help put out word about the parks as meeting places.
Members of the public haven't been complaining, Ford said. Park employees first became aware of the situation in early spring, and brought it to the attention of park officials.
The men generally frequent remote trails or parking lots, Ford said. They approach the rangers who are undercover and proposition them. Sometimes they expose themselves or try to grab the rangers.
Ford said that only one of the men has offered any resistance to his arrest. He ran to his car and drove away, but the rangers got his license number.
He said that most of them will express concern about their names showing up in the newspaper or their wives finding out. Occasionally, one will try to get away by pretending to have a heart attack.
Jeff Hines, president and chief executive officer of The York Water Co., said he supported the county's efforts. The water company owns William H. Kain County Park, but since 1977, York County has patrolled and maintained it, he said.
"They've kept us in tune with what they were doing," Hines said of the county. "It is a family park; I use it often myself . . . They just need to do their best to make sure it stays a family park the way it's always been."
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