An off-duty Police Service Area 8 housing police officer is facing charges for alleged public lewdness.
According to police, Adam Fridson, 43, a 12-year veteran and Brewster resident, was arrested by Internal Affairs Bureau officers at the 5th Precinct in lower Manhattan on Tuesday, October 17 at 8:45 a.m. for allegedly exposing himself to two school-aged sisters in Throggs Neck.
Fridson faces two counts each of endangering the welfare of a child, public lewdness in the first degree and exposure to a person.
A District Attorney Darcel Clark’s Office spokeswoman stated Fridson’s bail has been set at $5,000 following his arraignment on Tuesday, October 17.
He is due back at Bronx County Criminal Court on Friday, October 20.
NYC-based law firm Worth, Longworth and London, LLP attorney Stuart London is serving as Fridson’s lawyer for the case.
Police said Fridson exited a light colored Subaru on Wednesday, October 11 at 4:10 p.m. and approached two girls, ages 12 and 7, on East Tremont Avenue and Barkley Avenue who were heading to Bible study at St. Benedict’s Church.
As stated in the complaint report, the 12-year-old girl observed Fridson’s exposed penis protruding from the front opening of his shorts as he asked the sisters “Do you know where McDonald’s is?” before fleeing the scene in his vehicle.
Both girls were unharmed and quickly walked to St. Benedict’s where they phoned their mother.
On Saturday, October 14, police released details of the incident and surveillance images of the suspect clad in a black T-shirt with a logo of Jack Skellington, the main protagonist from Tim Burton’s classic 1993 film ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and khaki shorts while carrying a jacket.
A NYPD spokesman confirmed Fridson was identified from the surveillance footage by a PSA 8 colleague.
Fridson joined the force in 2005 and was assigned to the Bronx Housing Bureau until his recent arrest.
He has been suspended without pay following the incident.
Police added Fridson was alleged to have exposed himself to a nine-year-old girl while working as a security guard at Costco in Westchester County in 2011, but was not charged.
The victim’s mother refused to have Fridson arrested, but he was instead brought up on departmental charges.
Fridson beat the charges by claiming his zipper was broken and his genitals had accidently slipped out of his pants.
“We are relieved that the individual is no longer walking our streets and in our neighborhoods. We thank the NYPD for quickly apprehending the suspect. Our community knows that this individual’s actions are not indicative of the hard-working women and men in law enforcement,” expressed Matt Cruz, Community Board 10 district manager.
“This man has problems and it’s better that he’s now off the streets,” said James McQuade, Schuyler Hill Funeral Home director.
