Wi-Fi kiosks attracting panhandlers, the homeless and illegal activities
Early this year New York City unveiled street-side internet hotspot kiosks, called LinkNYC, that provide wifi access to over 8 million people in the city. The nine-and-a-half-foot tall kiosks also provide internet access, music and a red 911 button to make emergency calls for free.
Recently many of these kiosks have been transformed into "outdoor living rooms" by panhandlers and the homeless as seen in the photographs and video taken on 8th Ave. Items surrounding the kiosks include overturned newspaper vending machines to be used as a chair, a sofa, broken office chairs and even a large plant pot converted into a lounge chair.
During our observance this past Wednesday, at the corner of West 40th Street and 8th Ave around 5pm, we witnessed what appeared to be a homeless man using a mirror to view up skirts while smoking a "suspicious cigarette".
We recorded one passerby victim who was unaware of the wrongdoers actions. In the video you can see the victim react and confront the culprit regarding touching her as he responds by waving the victim away.
The video was presented to local NYPD in a nearby corner who reacted quickly and confronted the culprit. The NYPD was unable to arrest the alleged offender as the the victim was no longer around to press charges.
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