Crime Blotter: No Kissing in Moscow
— -- Russians may have to take a "don't kiss, don't tell" approach to smooching; a Los Angeles police officer who says he was assigned to track celebrity stalkers apparently became a little too starstruck; and a karaoke performer almost finds out what it's like to be John Wayne Bobbitt. Check out this week's edition of the Crime Blotter.
Death to Smoochy
M O S C O W — In Moscow, it could soon be a crime to kiss and tell.
City authorities reportedly are consideringbans on public displays of affection as part of an effort to "improve morals" in the Russian capital. Government authorities are working on an order that would prohibit kissing in subways and other public places, the newspaperStolichnaya Vechernyaya Gazeta reported on its Web site. The ban was being considered at the request of police and thecity's education committee.
"Children do not need any sexual education classes in school… they get amoral lessons every day when they see what goes onaround them," the newspaper quoted committee member TatyanaMaximova as saying. "People are making out even on the escalatorin the metro. Something must be done about this."
Long, slow escalators leading down to Moscow's subway platforms are usually ideal places for couples to lock lips — theyallow people to gaze directly into eachother's eyes.
According to Stolichnaya Vechernyaya Gazeta, fines for violating the ban, if it is adopted, would range from 300 to 500 rubles(US $10 to US $17). And if the kissing couples are short on cash, police could hold them at the precinct until someone pays their fine
The ban would also target other potentially offensive public behavior, such as drinking alcohol, loud cursing, drunkenness and spitting.
City officials and police were not immediately available for comment, but prominent human rights activist Valeriya Novodvorskaya criticized the potential moratorium.She said a kissing ban would be "Orwellian" and vowed to violate itas often as possible if it is enacted.
The Stalking Police Officer
L O S A N G E L E S — A police officer allegedly assigned to an anti-celebrity stalker project has been booted from the force after usingdepartment computers to review confidential records on celebrities.
Officer Kelly Chrisman, 35, was fired Oct. 27 after being accused of reviewing the confidential files of Halle Berry, Jennifer Aniston and Dylan McDermott, among others. Chrisman said his superiors assigned him to look up the information as part of a project to map celebrity homes to help monitor potential stalkers.
One of Chrisman's attorneys, Gary Casselman, told The Associated Press he was fired because the department "didn't want the embarrassment of admittingthis project existed."
Investigators say they do not know what Chrisman did with theinformation he accessed between 1994 and 2000. Authorities say the information he accessed included criminal histories, driving records, Social Security numbers, restraining orders and unlisted phone numbers.
A Brush With John Wayne Bobbitt
P H N O M P E N H, Cambodia — A popular karaoke performer could have hit a high note after his wife allegedly tried to cut off his penis while he slept. However, the wife failed to successfully imitate Lorena Bobbitt.
Kan Bun Hou, 26, was asleep when his wife, Ma Len, attacked himwith a razor blade, said Touch Sarin, a Phnom Penh police chief.Police were looking for the woman, who fled after the attack.
"The injury is not severe. It could have been worse if she hadused scissors," he told Reuters. "His wound is treatable. "
The attack apparently stemmed from Kan Bun Hou's popularity as akaraoke performer. The couple had fought the day before.
He was treated for his injuries while police searched for his Ma Len. Chief Sarin suggested Len was jealous because her husband partied frequently in the evenings.