NEW YANK CITY: Public masturbation skyrockets in The Big Apple by 51%

According to the New York Post, police data showed that in 2024 through June, there has been a 51 percent increase in reports of masturbating in public in comparison to 2023. At the same time, police have issued 159 citations through June 30 in NYC for people exposing themselves in public, to do various things such as urinate. This is up 396 percent versus 32 tickets written in 2023, according to data reviewed by the Post.

Greenwich Village resident Brian Maloney told the outlet, “There’s too much junk I don’t want to see." Maloney shared footage with reporters of a long-haired naked man touching himself in a chair near the Washington Square Diner while it was raining outside. A naked woman in his subway car recently paraded in front of him and other commuters as well, he told the outlet.

“We’re exhausted by it,” Maloney said. “We’re trying for help, we’re pleading with our electeds to help and basically getting ignored.”

“This is a desk appearance ticket and a non-bail eligible offense, so he will be out within two hours,” Capt. Joel Rosenthal said of incidents of masturbation in public. The push against incarceration as well as the city is not effectively treating those with mental health issues, according to mental health policy analyst Carolyn D. Gorman.

“If we don’t enforce laws so individuals aren’t in jails or prisons, and they’re not receiving psychiatric treatment because the mental health system deprioritizes the mentally ill… these people are out on the street,” she said.