Growing Concern About Kips Bay Park That People Are Using As Public Toilet

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There is growing concern about what's happening in a Kips Bay park where children often play as it is just steps away from the city's largest homeless shelter.

CBS2's Jessica Layton initially reported Monday that people have been using Bellevue South Park as a public toilet. The park is near the Bellevue Men's Homeless Shelter.

"People that are peeing and defecating on the playground where children are playing," parent Samantha Hourihan said.

Parents are now second-guessing whether to bring their kids to the park at all.

"As a parent, you don't want that for your kids," Miguel Rios said.

Rios said he noticed things didn't seem right at the park as he saw men smoking and carrying alcohol.

There are signs posted in the playground area that clearly say no adults are allowed unless they're with child, but a lot of people are breaking that rule. CBS2's Layton called out one person who ended up walking away.

"Do you have a child here? It's against the rules to be sitting here," Layton told the man.

Parents said they want better screening at the shelter and more police patrols coming through the park.

"That requires enforcement officers and quite frankly, I've stated we need more in that area because of the shelter," New York City Councilwoman Rosie Mendez said.

More parks safety officers is something Mendez promises to push for personally.

Despite citizen concerns, the NYPD insisted the situation at the park has actually improved from a year ago. They said parents can call the precinct directly if they see a problem or come to a community council meeting.