“I Reported a Case of Indecent Exposure in Rock Creek Park — And I Will Again If Have To!”

Location: Harvard St. and Adams Mill Road NW (Adams Morgan)
Time: Morning Rush Hour (5am-9:30am)

I was returning from a weekend jog along Rock Creek Park, heading up the Harvard St. exit of the Zoo into my neighborhood. As I was hiking up the pretty steep hill there, I heard a whistle to my right, up in the leafy area well above the road. A man was standing there wagging his fully exposed penis at me, his pants around his knees. I immediately looked away and kept walking. My initial reaction was, “that was weird.” Followed by, “that made me feel uncomfortable.” Then, “actually, I’m kind of angry about this.”

It took a good 15 more minutes before I realized that this was an actual crime and I should be taking action. I called DC police, who handled the situation very professionally. When I shyly mentioned that I wasn’t sure if this was a dull-fledged crime, the operator said, “Oh yes, ma’am, it IS definitely a crime.” I felt a lot better.

I talked to my sister, who pointed out that a flasher by the Zoo was particularly concerning as so many families and children go by there — which prompted me to then follow up with the Zoo police.

I still jog past the spot where I saw the guy–it’s unavoidable. Every time, I have to remember what I was forced to see against my will. And I really hate that and don’t want anyone else to experience that.

In the future, I wont hesitate to report this kind of behavior.

Emphases by CASS.
Submitted 10/08/13 by “eb.”

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