Cruising for sex at the University has become increasingly difficult for people looking for an anonymous rendezvous.The Daily Reveille reported Oct. 1, 2007, that bathrooms in Middleton Library and Coates Hall were listed as sex “hot spots” on cruisingforsex.com, a Web site listing popular public places for men to engage in anonymous sex with other men. Since then, the LSU Police Department and Facility Services have increased their efforts to rid the campus of the illegal activity.”We’ve made it a priority,” said LSPD Capt. Russell Rogé. “We still have officers that make patrols in Middleton — especially in the late afternoon and night time.”LSUPD has increased patrols in Middleton Library and the Quad — even conducting several undercover sting operations to catch individuals in the act. No one has been arrested in the past year in connection with sex in those two buildings on campus.Most complaints LSUPD received were about holes in bathroom partitions, Rogé said. Used to conduct oral sex with men in a neighboring stall, the holes — commonly referred to as “glory holes” — were carved out by men using drills, pens and other tools.Facility Services replaced the damaged wood partitions on the second, third and fourth floor bathrooms of Middleton Library with new stalls made of heavy, corrosive-resistant plastic in November. The renovations cost nearly $40,000.”It’s pathetic that you have to go to that extreme,” said Maj. Lawrence Rabalais, LSUPD spokesman. Facility Services received    complaints in April of marks on a partition in the third floor bathroom of Middleton Library. Only scratching the surface of the hard plastic, the attempt to make a “glory hole” failed. Jennifer Cargill, dean of libraries, did not return several phone calls or e-mails requesting comment.Rabalais said besides the reported attempt in April, no complaints have been made about lewd behavior or damage in University buildings. About 10 years ago, there were several instances of public sex in Coates Hall. “In years past, we’d get complaints from victims who were approached by another male,” Rabalais said. “In response to the complaints, we set up sting operations and           arrested several individuals.”Paul Favaloro, director of Facility Services, said his department first covered the holes with metal plates and other tough materials to prevent men from using the stalls for sex. Attempts like that one were made in Middleton Library bathrooms in the past but failed. People would bring power tools and drill through the plates, Favaloro said.The damage to partitions in Middleton Library was so extensive that every stall was replaced. “We wanted to make sure we were going with the latest and best upgrade we could get for our money,” Favaloro said.Visitors to cruisingforsex.com noticed the prevention techniques.”They ran an article in the school paper about this cruisy spot [Middleton Library fourth floor bathrooms]!,” said an anonymous poster in October 2007. “School is on high alert about it. I’m very mad because it was a great sex spot before.”Recent posters were upset about the new stalls in Middleton Library, too.”[Middleton third floor men’s bathroom] has been shut down,” said an anonymous poster in July. “Sad to say, but it’s true. I used to have so much fun there.”Other public places in Baton Rouge, including Capitol Lakes Park, Casino Rouge, Highland Road Park and Baton Rouge Beach, are also listed on the site.”The problem hasn’t gone away, and it’s not going to go away,” said Sgt. Don Kelly, Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman. “It’s something we constantly battle and respond to.” Kelly said he couldn’t confirm if public sex incidents have increased or decreased during the past year in Baton Rouge. He said there are not enough law enforcement personnel to patrol all necessary areas at all times to eliminate the problem. Undercover sting operations and continued patrol of the areas are still going on, he said. “It’s like prostitution,” Kelly said. “It has been around since Biblical times.”- – – – Contact Kyle Bove at [email protected]