The Harford County Sheriff's Office is continuing to patrol the county's adult bookstores where recent arrests have been made in connection with lewd activities, Lt. Hugh John Dougherty, of the sheriff's office, told members of the Bush River Community Council Monday.
The sheriff's office acknowledged earlier this year that it had begun a crackdown after citizens complained about indecent exposure and public sex acts allegedly taking place in bookstores along Route 40.
"They're doing everything they possibly can to charge the owners," Dougherty told the community council, whose area encompasses two adult bookstores. "We are still doing our patrols there, as well as the other [adult] bookstores."
Dougherty said he heard some store owners are posting an earlier article from The Aegis about the indecent exposure arrest right inside their businesses to try to prevent similar situations.
Adult bookstores in Harford came into the spotlight earlier this year, when a Towson priest was charged with indecent exposure at Bush River Books & Movies, in the 3900 block of Pulaski Highway in Abingdon, on Jan. 16.
The man arrested was found partially nude by two deputies in a movie theater inside the shop.
Police received another call about a possible indecent exposure incident at the same bookstore Jan. 25. The caller said two men allegedly were performing sexual acts on each other, although sheriff's deputies could not find any violations.
Harford County State's Attorney Joseph Cassilly has since said he would consider penalizing businesses with repeat offenses.