Charlie Stein debated Saturday whether to take his dog, Jack, for a walk down in Rock Ridge County Park in Springettsbury Township.

Stein was leery after learning of a sting involving men using the park to meet and have sex.

Stein relented.

As he walked his Labrador retriever on a wooded trail, Stein noticed the park was not as full as it would normally have been on a warm weekend day. He also realized he was different himself, being more careful who he talked to, being less likely to say hi to passersby. He said he noticed other people were not as open and friendly as before the sting.

"It's a shame," Stein said.

Kim Worley was "shocked" when she heard of a recent sex sting operation at Rocky Ridge and William H. Kain County Park in York Township. The sting has been ongoing, leading to citations against more than 80 men for indecent exposure, obscene behavior, loitering and disorderly conduct, York County commissioners said last week.

Worley said she was bothered that men would engage or attempt to engage in sexual activity in a beautiful park enjoyed by so many people. She said she was first attracted to Rocky Ridge after seeing the Christmas lights show there, and she loves the views.

Before heading to the park, her brother warned her to bring along pepper spray.

Jeff Snyder said it was difficult not to think about the recent citations. But he promised his two children they would collect leaves on a warm autumn day.

Before leaving for the park,

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Snyder said he made sure everyone went to the bathroom. They also stopped at a convenience store about a mile away to see that everyone went again just in case. He said he took the extra step after hearing some of the sexual encounters happened in the bathrooms.

"We love the outdoors and going to the park," Snyder said.