Kips Bay Playground Being Used As Public Toilet

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There are problems at a playground in Kips Bay as parents claim a number of people are using the space as a public toilet.

As CBS2's Jessica Layton reported, residents believe a city law is partly to blame because New York decriminalized public urination.

"I've seen last week men urinating into the playground, a woman doing that -- and probably more also -- in the playground," mother Lauren Pohl said.

Pohl snapped a photo of the woman and a man making an obscene gesture at her.

"My kids are scared and we're also scared," Pohl said.

Mauro Pennacchia believes the men are coming from the Bellevue Men's Shelter a couple of blocks away, and he's circulating a petition asking city leaders for better care and screening at that shelter.

"I think what we've seen is a change in culture of the community," Pennacchia said.

The mayor's office said that "public urination remains illegal in New York City and NYPD will continue to enforce against this illegal activity."

City Hall insisted officers can still stop people from urinating in public and arrest them when appropriate.

The Department of Homeless Services said several people in that area who appear to be homeless are not from the shelter and have continued to refuse help.