Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Parks Dept Issues Non Fraternization Policy After SeXXXy Strip Parties Bust


By

Rebecca Fishbein

Published Aug 30, 2013

Modified Aug 30, 2013


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Handout

 


By

Rebecca Fishbein

Published Aug 30, 2013

Modified Aug 30, 2013


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The Parks Department had a little problem earlier this year when word surfaced about those holiday "strip" parties and other creepy behavior exhibited by supervisors, but it seems like those pole dancing glory days are no more. The department recently issued a "non fraternization" policy between supervisors and their subordinates, so bosses can no longer make their staff members take their clothes off in exchange for better jobs. Some people ruin all the fun.

The new policy says any relationship between a boss and an employee must be reported immediately. Anyone caught violating the policy is subject to "disciplinary action up to and including termination," and if other Parks Department employees see or suspect such a relationship, they're obligated to turn the illicit lovers in. The terms may seem harsh, but allegations against the reported strip party-throwing supervisors were pretty serious; two supervisors were suspended in May after they were accused of organizing booze-filled soirees where they allegedly encouraged female workers to take off their clothes and shimmy up and down a stripper pole.

Many of the workers were part-time and holiday staff, and some said they were given permanent positions after performing at the parties, which reportedly went back as far as 2009. Though the Parks Department says the salacious shindigs weren't the only catalyst: "This policy was issued after reports of an incident at our Five Borough facility on Randalls Island, but it is a result of discussions that predated those reports," spokesman Arthur Pincus said in a statement.

Though if the hallowed historic documents of NBC's comedic programming have taught us anything, no non-nonfraternization policy can keep two Parks employees from falling in luuuurve.

Tagged

non fraternization

parks department

strip parties


Rebecca Fishbein

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Parents grumble as NYC schools chancellor dodges calls for NYC schools integration plan

Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones said she felt disappointed by the lack of details.

By

Jessica Gould

Published Oct 20, 2026 at 10:01 p.m. ET


Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say

The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.

By

Charles Lane

News

Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say

The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.

By

Charles Lane


16 arrested in New York auto insurance fraud crackdown involving nearly $500K

By

Giulia Heyward

Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city

By

Catalina Gonella

New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino

By

Willow Higgins


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .