Recent law enforcement operations at Penn Station have led to a sharp increase in arrests for public lewdness, with at least 20 men now in ICE custody, as reported by Gothamist. This rise in arrests, which began in June, coincides with an aggressive crackdown by the Amtrak Police Department on activities in the transit hub’s notorious bathrooms, commonly known for anonymous sexual encounters and spotlighted on "cruising" apps like Sniffies.
While New York City's sanctuary laws prevent local police from cooperating with ICE, Amtrak’s federal status obliges them to comply. According to the THE CITY, among those swept up in the crackdown was a healthcare worker who faced derogatory remarks while detained. The worker, identified only as David by THE CITY for privacy reasons, recounted how he was arrested and mocked by officers during the operation.
Yet, this crackdown isn’t without its critics. Advocates and legal professionals are raising concerns about the potential for rights violations and discriminatory targeting. Jennvine Wong, supervising attorney at the Legal Aid Society’s Cop Accountability Project, expressed alarm at the swift escalation in arrests and the potential that the enforcement and cause for arrests may be flawed, as she explained to the Gothamist.
The intensity of the crackdown appears to have stirred anxiety throughout the community, with users on Sniffies cautioning each other to avoid the restroom due to the police presence. Undercover operations have led to quite a few bystander reports, witnessing the arrests firsthand, as one user described on Sniffies, warning others of the lurking presence of undercover cops, as reported by THE CITY.
With over 200 arrests made since early June, Amtrak stands by the actions of its police force, arguing they’ve curbed disruptive activities and emphasizing a commitment to safety and welcoming environments, pointed out by Amtrak spokesperson Beth Toll in a statement to THE CITY.
