Police Say Lewd Behavior Ongoing Problem At Riverfront Bathrooms

When Kingsport Police recently arrested two men for indecent exposure at the bathrooms at Riverfront Park, it was not a new problem. Police say the problem has been going on for years, with neighbors and park goers complaining about lewd behavior at the restrooms.

The problem they are finding now is out of towners frequenting the area. The two men recently arrested were from Erwin, Tennessee and Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Police say about half the arrests made at the bathrooms are not people from Kingsport or the immediate area. They say they come from as far away as North Carolina.

Some people feel the bathrooms should be torn down or done away with, but Police say they have to remain because the area is a city park. Others feel the problem could be solved other ways. Mark McLean fishes about a hundred yards away from the bathrooms 2-3 times a week, he says a lack of harsh punishment for those caught is the problem. “I think they feel like they won’t caught,“ says McLean, “and if they do get caught, they’re not really punished anyway.“

Kingsport Police say they will continue monitoring and investigating complaints at the bathrooms. If you have a complaint, call the Kingsport Police Department at 246-9111.