Lawmakers in New York City are taking a stand against what they describe as discriminatory arrests by Amtrak Police at Penn Station's men's restroom. The recent crackdown on public lewdness has led to at least 200 arrests since June, and the methods of undercover officers have been likened to those of "the Stonewall era" by officials. In an open letter to Amtrak's president, the lawmakers have expressed their concerns and demanded an immediate end to the arrests.
According to a report by Gothamist, undercover officers have been placed in bathroom stalls and at urinals to monitor for alleged illegal activities, spurred by the use of apps like Sniffies that cater to arranging anonymous sexual encounters. At least 20 of those arrested were reportedly immigrants, subsequently transferred to ICE custody, raising further concerns about the true intent of the crackdown.
The letter, drafted by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and signed by State Sens. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, and Assemblymember Tony Simone, accuses Amtrak Police of deploying "questionable and potentially discriminatory tactics." These accusations are serious, considering that the Amtrak Police, as a national entity, are not beholden to NYC's sanctuary laws, which normally prevent the NYPD from collaborating with ICE. "We demand that Amtrak Police immediately cease identifying and targeting members of the LGBTQ community for search, seizure, and arrest on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity," the lawmakers wrote in the letter obtained by Patch.
Despite the backlash, Amtrak maintains that their efforts have led to a decline in incidents at Penn Station. Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams told Gothamist, "Amtrak remains committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all travelers and will continue to monitor conditions closely, making adjustments as needed to uphold the highest standards of security." The lawmakers, however, have requested a meeting with Amtrak Police to further discuss the matter at hand.
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