Park harassment?

It's 11:40 pm on Tue, Jul 13. The 'alley' is a pathway along Bob & Mary's Rhododendron Garden in Stanley Park. Hardened criminals can wait. Police are busy on a hunt for fags having sex behind bushes in a darkened flower garden, behind tall cedars and giant rhubarb.

The vehicle moves along the pedestrian path. It crosses the small bridge and pauses at the street's edge. For a few minutes there's no movement. They're making a point. Once the vehicle crosses the park perimeter road and moves deeper into the trail, there's a chorus of car ignitions and quick departures.

Police drive along the narrow trail. Men scurry, seeking refuge in the bushes and behind trees. Once police pass men slowly come back onto the trail.

"They come in here all the time harassing people," says one fellow. "It's not a rumour -- it's true. If you are standing in a group, or too close to a path, they might shine a spotlight on you. Sometimes they stop and get out."

But doesn't know what they say.

"You do whatever you can to hide and stay out of their way."

Do you have eye-witness accounts of police harassing gay men in parks and parking areas? E-mail us your stories to XWeditor@xtra.ca or fax 684-9697.

Anonymity guaranteed.