Past Voyeurism Victim Seeks More Protection in Parks

A woman who was the victim of voyeurism three years ago at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison is seeking permission to sue the state, according to WFSB.

Kim Smith of East Hartford heard about the coat hook camera found July 5 in a Hammonasset Beach State Park bath house, and she told WFSB she believes state park management isn’t taking voyeurism seriously.

Smith said she was outraged when she heard the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection called the coat hook camera an isolated incident.

"Just a fews weeks before this latest privacy breach at Hammonasset, my attorneys were deposing park managers," Smith said in a statement. "One testified under oath that no policies are in place to address privacy issues, peeping incidents and voyeurism at the state parks."

In July 2011, Smith said she was showering in a park bath house with her two young daughters when she noticed someone peeping through a hole near the shower nozzle.

DEEP released a statement Thursday responding to Smith’s claims.

“The unfortunate incident of July 2011 at Hammonasset Beach State Park resulted in a timely and thorough investigation and the dismissal and arrest of two seasonal park employees,” according to the statement.

But Smith is bringing her case to the state claims commissioner. She wants more protection for park-goers and harsher punishments for voyeurism.

DEEP reported staff members are working to prevent future incidents in state parks.

“Our park staff has been instructed to inspect bathrooms and bath houses regularly and thoroughly and to be on the lookout for items that may have been placed inside that could contain a camera,” the statement said.

The coat hook camera incident is still under investigation.