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Woman Says Conductor Was Of No Help In Dealing With Subway Flasher

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Thursday said it was "reviewing protocols" after a straphanger's encounter with a flasher on the subway.

As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, the woman's post about the experience went viral on social media – along with a complaint that the train conductor seemed uninterested in the problem.

The underground unpleasantness happened on the No. 3 train in Brooklyn, near the Nevins Street station. The rider, Tiffany Jackson, saw the man masturbating while looking at her and she discreetly snapped a few photos.

She told the story of the encounter on Instagram and Facebook, alongside the graphic photos.

Brooklyn Subway Flasher
Tiffany Jackson took photos of this man exposing himself on the No. 3 train in Brooklyn. (Credit: Tiffany Jackson, via Instagram)

"When I ran to the other conductor and told him what happened, he rolled his eyes, annoyed, and radioed dispatch," Jackson wrote. "At this point, jerk off guy got off the train and smiled at me as he walked out the station. The conductor grumbled and told me to just go upstairs and report the incident to the booth. I wasn't even half a step away before the conductor peeled off.

But there was no booth at the station exit where Jackson got off.

"When I went upstairs, there was no booth. Just jerk off man standing there, like he was waiting," Jackson wrote. "I hopped the turnstile and jumped on the first train I saw. Got off at 42nd and ran straight for my Dad."

Jackson wrote that she was less upset about the man and his lewd conduct than how the she said MTA handled the situation.

"They acted like I was more of a nuisance than trying to help me, and sent me right in the path of danger," she wrote.

Others also expressed disappointment based on Jackson's account.

"Their main focus is on, like, doing their job and going home," said straphanger Royal James.

"I'd expect him to stop the train and maybe call the police," said straphanger Dorothy Laidlow.

A transit source said the conductor did radio the rail control center to report the incident. Also, while there is no booth on the Manhattan-bound side of the Nevins Street station, there is a callbox Jackson could have used.

Still, the MTA was reviewing protocols Thursday for handling future complaints.

Meanwhile, as Jackson's post went viral on social media, a businessman in Brooklyn saw it and thought he recognized the man on the train.

"Once I saw the picture, I knew that it was a guy who came here the following day, on Monday," said Willy Mejia.

Mejia checked his surveillance system and found pictures that appeared to show the subway flasher driving a distinctive-looking Dodge van. CBS2 arranged for Mejia to share the pictures to police, who were actively looking for the man Thursday before he flashes again.

Meanwhile, in a follow-up post, Jackson said the MTA and the NYPD did contact her, and she was glad that her complaint was being taken seriously.

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